A WAR of words has broken out between the company behind the solar farm at Yorkley and a parish council over a cash windfall.

West Dean Parish Council (WDPC) has been accused of snubbing a group set up to guide the spending of £180,000 for local projects over the next 20 years.

The council has strongly rejected the accusation by Bee Green Energy (BGE) which set up the Yorkley Solar Community Fund last year.

It is also calling on the company to withdraw a claim that the council called for the planning application for the solar farm to be rejected.

A spokesperson for Mitcheldean-based BGE said: “Despite the environmental credentials and clear benefits to the local community, WDPC openly objected to the planning application for the solar farm.

“Representatives from the Forest of Dean District Council and Lydney Town Council have welcomed the opportunity to sit on the board to agree jointly which local projects should be supported each year.

“WDPC refused, resulting in the absence of a representative able to articulate the wishes and needs of the residents of West Dean Parish. We cannot believe their apathy towards gaining benefit from this fund.”

Parish clerk, Dave Kent said: “The assertion made that we objected to the planning application is entirely false, and should be withdrawn.

“All documents relating to the relevant planning application P0278/15/ FUL are available on the district council’s website, including the response by the parish council, with ‘no observations’.

“However WDPC is concerned at the nature of the development at the Yorkley Court Farm.

“We are in contact with the district council, the police and the county council about complaints received in respect of the destruction of habitat, the unauthorised development of a motor cycle track, an alleged assault and intimidation of members of the public, and the closure of footpaths.

“At this stage, the parish council does not consider it appropriate to engage with the Yorkley Court Community Fund.

“This decision was conveyed to the company, and a response was received indicating that they respected our wishes.”

The money will be delivered over the next 20 years from the sale of energy from Yorkley Solar Farm, which will generate around five million kilowatt hours of renewable electricity each year for the National Grid.