A huge new Coventry solar farm is set to take a step forward when it’s discussed at a planning meeting tomorrow (Wednesday 15). Rugby Borough Council planning committee will meet to discuss the Lentons Lane solar farm plans for a greenbelt site on the northern edge of Coventry . The plans were approved by Coventry City Council in December but as a cross-boundary site, Rugby Borough Council will also have to approve it – and they are being recommended to do so. The plans put forward by EON will see more than 40,000 solar panels planted on fields flanking a canal. An application for a bigger solar farm on the site, just to the north of the M6 , was turned down last year. Even the amended plans proved controversial when they were last discussed by Coventry city council in December, with three councillors speaking out against them. There were 86 letters of objection and two of support. Despite that the committee approved the plans, citing the need to tackle climate change. Rugby Borough Council’s planning committee are recommended to do the same. Join the FREE Coventry WhatsApp community to get the latest news straight to your phone. Find out more here . A report to the committee states: “The determination of whether very special circumstances exist is a matter of planning judgement based on a consideration of all relevant matters. However, very special circumstances cannot exist unless the harm to the green belt and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations. Therefore in this case, it is whether the identified benefits above taken together would decisively outweigh the harm identified. “Overall the totality of the economic, environmental and social benefits have been considered and the totality of the benefits clearly outweigh the combined weight of the harm to the green belt and any other harm, including the agricultural land loss, landscape harm and heritage harm. Consequently the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development do exist and the application should be approved.” The planning committee meets at 5.30pm on Wednesday, April 15. A second solar farm application will also be discussed by the planning committee. This one requests permission to construct a temporary (40 year) solar farm at Coal Pit Lane in Willey, Lutterworth. This site is also green belt and is currently laid to grass providing grazing pastures. There have been a number of objections, including Willey Parish Council, Wolvey Parish Council and Monks Kirby Parish council who have raised concerns including traffic flows, impact on green belt and wildlife, visual amenity and glint and glare from the solar panels. A total of seven objections have also been received from members of the public citing similar concerns. But a report concludes: “In balancing the harm and benefit of the proposed development substantial weight is given to the provision of renewable low carbon energy given both the national policy emphasis on its delivery and the fact that the council has declared a Climate Emergency. This benefit is considered to outweigh the harm identified in landscape and visual terms and to residential amenity. The benefits identified in respect of the economic benefit and the biodiversity gain tip the balance further in favour of approval.” The committee is recommended to approve the plans, subject to conditions. Keep up with the latest news from across Warwickshire with our FREE email newsletter.