RESIDENTS are having their say on plans for an �11 million state-of-the-art "sunshine farm" on the former Gedling Colliery site.
The project would produce energy for up to 1,300 homes in the surrounding area, as well as creating jobs.
A public consultation is being held on the proposals for the solar farm, which would cover around 30 acres of the 350 acres site.
MO3 Power, a Surrey-based renewable energy developer and independent power producer, is behind the plans.
The company was set up a year ago and have 'serious' investors from across Europe.
The �11 million will be spent on the cost of consultancy fees, planning permission, connection to the national grid, accountancy fees and installation – including security fencing.
Some income will also come from a new Government scheme which pays people to produce renewable energy.
Ken Moss, chief executive of MO3 Power, said: "We're extremely excited about this project.
"This is one of the steps we need to take to save our planet and it will be a pioneering project to be launched in Gedling.
"The feedback from the local community has been positive.
"We've done many consultations around the UK, especially looking at many of the old coal sites and the feedback has always been positive, both from planning authorities and the community.
"This is a fantastic and attractive proposition."
The company is hoping to build ten to 12 parks this year, including ones in Welbeck Colliery, Melton Mowbray and Cannock in Staffordshire.
The Post reported last month on plans to extract methane from other parts of the site to create electricity.
That scheme, put forward by Edwinstowe-based Alkane Energy UK Limited, could run alongside the solar farm, said Mr Moss.
The blueprint had now reached an advanced stage, he said, and a planning application was due to be submitted to Gedling Borough Council within the next two weeks.
At a public consultation event in Carlton last month, residents were able to meet representatives of MO3 Power Ltd and give their views.
Rick Wilson, chairman of the Gedling Village Preservation Society, attended the event.
He said there had been concerns that if planning permission was granted, it would set a precedent for other developments on the site.
"This would then blight the opportunity for residents to have a country park in the future," he said.
"But generally I think we're happy with the proposals."
Another public consultation event is due to be held within the next three weeks.
A Gedling Borough Council spokesman said any applications be assessed against policies included in the Gedling Local Plan.
"Consideration will be given to the impact it may have on the comprehensive redevelopment of the former colliery site and the viability of the proposed country park," he said.
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