Hundreds of objections have been made to a plan for a huge solar farm the size of 120 football fields in a Leicestershire forest.

One angry local has even described Charnwood Forest as "our very own little bit of Peak District", and said it should not be "defaced".

But a handful of people have written in support of the application, by Namene Solar Ltd, accusing objectors of NIMBYism, and arguing solar farms are important in order to tackle climate change.

If approved, the plan, which was lodged with Charnwood Borough Council this month, would see solar panels fitted in 12 fields on more than 200 acres of land at Charley Road in Shepshed. The land is in two sections, on either side of the M1, and the farm would have permission to operate for 40 years.

The developer said it would power 16,580 homes a year and save the equivalent of 11,210 tonnes of carbon dioxide. But objectors to the scheme said they were worried it would "dominate the landscape", and have a negative impact on biodiversity in the area.

More than 200 objections have already flooded in to the council's planning department in response to the plans. The Friends of Charnwood Forest, a society aiming "to protect the natural beauty and amenities" of the area, said: "Solar farms can be sited virtually anywhere: there is no reason why Charnwood Forest, with its special landscape designation, should be selected for this particular development."

Among the concerns are that one of Leicestershire's most popular beauty spots will be affected. A resident of Woodhouse Eaves said: "As a regular user of Beacon Country Park, I am extremely concerned at the visual impact of the site, as it can never be screened. The layout of the panels dominate the landscape."

According to an objector from Markfield, there is currently an attempt underway to have Charnwood Forest registered as a UNESCO Geopark "due to it's unique geology, flora, fauna and biodiversity". UNESCO Geoparks are a network of areas that have international geological significance. "This development may impact on the proposal and could result in a failure to achieve this status," the objector added. "This would have a detrimental impact on the local area in terms of visitors, tourism and environmental protection."

A Whitwick resident said: "This area is our very own little bit of 'Peak District'. It should never be defaced, in any way, ever! You can't honestly tell us that you'd rather see solar panels glaring back at you, than the beautiful English countryside!"

People who welcomed the plans said they felt it was a necessary move for the environment. "It is disappointing to see such levels of short sightedness and NIMBYism from some sections of the public," said a Loughborough resident. "The overriding fact of the matter is that climate change is here and it is here now."

A supporter from Newtown Linford agreed it was beautiful countryside, but said: "When I see solar panels and wind turbines, it shows that we care about our woods and farmlands and are doing something to protect them for the long term. It is true that they detract from the view, but the need to produce clean energy outweighs the need to maintain a good view."

And a Shepshed resident said: "No objections here. Sounds like a fantastic plan which WILL certainly protect the environment for future generations. It's disappointing to see that people care more about protecting the view they have from their own properties than actually protecting the environment. An adjustment in people's attitudes and morals is required here, not an adjustment to the planning application."

In planning documents, the developer said the landscape would "limit the visibility of the majority of the site itself from the wider area", but admitted "a scheme of this size will inevitably be visible from certain vantage points and have an effect on landscape character". However, they add that "the development has been located to minimise effects as far as possible", and that extra planting would be carried out around the site.

As the site is on land in both Charnwood and North West Leicestershire, both councils have received the application, with Charnwood due to lead on the decision. The application documents can be seen on Charnwood's planning portal, and comments and objections can be made until Wednesday, December 13.