THE company proposing to create a solar energy farm on the outskirts of Tranent has apologised for not making contact with local residents quicker.

Residents from Myles Farm Cottages attended a meeting of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council (TECC) last week, where they heard outline plans for the site – which is located west of Tranent, towards Elphinstone – having heard them for the first time less than 24 hours previously.

Now, the company putting forward the proposals for the solar farm, Lark Energy, admitted that a “complete oversight” resulted in the residents living near the site not being contacted.

Matthew Desorgher, director at Natter Ltd, a company which is working for Lark Energy on the proposals for Myles Farm, told the Courier: “We can only apologise, and Lark Energy have already apologised.

“Normally in these circumstances, someone would have been out to visit the local residents once, if not twice, before we reach this stage.

“When I realised that had not happened, and when I got a phone call from one of the local residents saying he knew nothing of our plans, I made sure the team made contact with him.

“They arranged a meeting at their earliest opportunity.

“It is not a good place to start this process, but we can only apologise.”

Mr Desorgher was speaking at a public exhibition into the plans, held last Thursday at the Loch Centre in Tranent.

And he was hoping for a strong turnout, to give Lark Energy a good idea of public feeling towards the proposals, which are for a 30-acre site on Myles Farm.

He said: “It’s impossible to tell how many people are going to show up – I’ve been to events [like this exhibition] where there have been a dozen people show up.”

A total of 11 people had been through the doors inside the first hour of this event, though, and Mr Desorgher hoped to see many more following afterwards.

Previously, local residents had attended TECC’s meeting earlier this month to voice their concerns over the issue.

At that meeting, as well as the lack of consultation, residents expressed concerns over the solar farm spoiling views, especially to the “popular tourist attraction” Fa’side Castle.

Other concerns raised online included the potential impact on local wildlife and the environment, while the fact that the development would provide more energy for the county was welcomed.

The meeting had also heard that there would be opportunities for local companies to get involved with the building process.

Lark Energy hopes that, if planning permission is granted by East Lothian Council, the solar farm can be completed by March next year.

Their plans would see them agree a lease agreement with the land owner, typically for a 25-year period.