A controversial new solar farm which was only given the green light after a planning appeal is hoped to be connected to the electricity network next year.

Exagen Holly Lane Ltd has revealed the next steps for its development at Birmingham Road after a planning battle for the solar farm was eventually won in 2024.

The development will eventually cover a green belt site which is roughly the size of 85 football pitches.

The company has submitted planning applications to both Warwick District Council (WDC) and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for the start of construction.

Plans submitted to the latter state "detailed grid connection design is ongoing" with the aim of getting the project "to energise in early 2027".

"Works to provide access to the site and to a number of fields within the solar site, specifically the removal of hedgerows and widening of existing hedgerow gaps, would need to be done in advance," the application explained.

These preparatory works will be done in two phases.

Stage one will see hedgerows cut back and some cut down before March - should permission be granted.

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The second step will see more works on site later this year.

"There are four short lengths of hedgerow due to be removed prior to construction works taking place and these will be removed in a phased approach in order to avoid harm to breeding birds, hibernating reptiles or amphibians, and any dormice which may be present," the application to WDC said.

"These works will be undertaken and completed prior to any other habitat removal works."

Local MP Sir Jeremy Wright spoke against the plans saying they threatened the "erosion" of the green belt.

Honiley Solar Park was originally given planning permission in July 2023, before being called in for an appeal.

Warwick District Council received 120 objections from the public as well as Beausale, Haseley, Honiley & Wroxall Parish Council and Warwickshire County Council's landscape department, before the original planning application was approved.