The city of New Bedford is one step closer to constructing a 10-acre solar farm project near the Little Quittacas Pond reservoir in Rochester.

The Rochester Planning Board approved the project last month, but New Bedford representatives had to wait until the 20-day appeal period was over to apply for a building permit. Now that the appeal period has ended without opposition to the project, the developers can take the next step and apply for the permit.

“I spoke with the Town Clerk and no appeals were filed,” said Planning Board Chair Arnie Johnson.

The installation, which will be constructed on New Bedford-owned land in Rochester, will include 14,000 photovoltaic solar panels.

As a condition of the Planning Board’s approval in January, the developers will have to construct a 10-foot high berm and plant trees around the installation. This request was made by the board to appease abutters who were concerned with the appearance of the solar farm.

The project is expected to reduce the city’s municipal power costs by 30 percent, said Jim Ricci, the city’s Superintendent of Water.

Rochester would be paid $800,000 in lieu of taxes over a 20-year period as well as $150,000 in permitting fees.

Scott Durkee, Director of New Bedford's Energy Office, said the city's representatives are aiming to complete construction by the end of August.

For more on the solar farm project, click here.