GROUND-MOUNTED solar panels at a farm in Stroud have been permitted by local council officials, despite warnings it would set a precedent.

Chapel Farm in Chapel Lane also applied to change the use of the land from agricultural to domestic use, which was also allowed by the officers at the Stroud District Council local planning authority.

Minchinhampton Parish Council had no observations about the scheme, although two neighbours from Chapel Lane argued that the panels would be in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would be very visible and would also set a precedent for future proposals.