A renewable energy company is looking for help from residents as it bids to build a solar farm capable of powering 2,700 homes.

Lightsource Renewable Energy is preparing to submit a proposal for a solar farm on a country estate near Uckfield.

If given the go ahead, the farm would be one of the biggest in the county.

The firm, which is the UK’s leading solar energy generator, has launched a campaign calling on the local community to get involved in shaping the 65-acre solar farm.

As well as residents with local knowledge, the firm is looking for wildlife enthusiasts, traffic management experts, fencing specialists and landscapers to help develop the project.

The farm would be based at the Bentley estate, which is also home to the Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum.

The majority of the site will be built on grassland and panels will have five metre gaps between them to allow sheep to graze.

Other wildlife initiatives include wild flower seeding planted along the field margins as well as bat boxes in the surrounding trees and a barn owl box overlooking the watercourse and surrounding grasslands.

The firm said that a formal application was still a few weeks away.

Conor McGuigan, business development director, said: “The way a solar farm is laid out means that over two-thirds of the land is open grassland.

“In the case of Bentley Estate, the open grassland would account for 44 out of the planned 65 acres and all of this land needs to be responsibly cared for.

“This involves much more than just technical expertise.

“There are many ways people can get involved – from the point of design right through to construction, fencing, and enhancing habitats for local wildlife.”

Information on preliminary designs have been sent out to the local residents and a drop-in information evening will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at the Forge Hotel in Halland, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

For more information about Lightsource Renewable Energy and its proposals for a solar farm at Bentley Estate, contact 0333 200 0755 or email info@lightsource-re.co.uk, quoting Bentley estate.