ON the outskirts of town, rumblings of discontent can be heard as neighbours on both sides of the fence disagree about Winton's $250 million solar farm proposal.
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About 70 landholders met recently to discuss concerns that locals had already signed lease or purchase options with French company EDF Renewables (EDF R).
Tamworth egg farmer Bede Burke said he wanted project supporters to be open and honest.
"We're aware of people who have signed with an alternative proponent and we think there's probably more than one, but the way we are kept in the dark is what's upsetting people," he said.
"It will drive a wedge through the community between the have's and the have not's.
"I know we're vulnerable after two years of drought, and that major dollars for doing nothing seems attractive, but please think long and hard before you sign anything because you will be locked and loaded for a long time to come."
EDF R will spend the next 12 months developing the Nottingham Park Solar Farm proposal.
Another community information session is planned for July or August, EDF R Australian country manager Dave Johnson said.
"EDF has secured the land required to progress the project, this can be a combination of leasing and ownership," he said.
"We are actively working with the community talking to neighbours, landowners, local businesses and council. We continue to seek feedback as to how to align the project with community expectations and make design changes to minimise visual impacts."
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Tamworth Regional (TRC) councillor Russell Webb said he was concerned the project would damage productive land.
"The action from the meeting was to watch carefully what is going to happen in the future," he said.
"There is deep concern out there and the issues we're talking about can cause some division in a community and we don't want that."
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