A renewable energy company has begun a new bid for a controversial solar farm.

Lightsource Renewable Energy has asked Maldon District Council for a screening opinion on its latest plan for 42,527 photovoltaic panels on fields south of Beckingham Road, Great Totham.

It was refused permission for 43,769 panels on the same farmland last month.

Councillors made their decision on the grounds there had been “significant objections from the local community” and solar farm was considered to be “inappropriately sited and akin to a large scale industrial development.”

They said it would have an unacceptable visual impact on the “highly sensitive” landscape.