A PROPOSAL to construct a large, four hectare solar farm on a rural site in West Devon had the thumbs down from planners this week — overturning a recommendation to approve the scheme.

The application by Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd was for 16 'arrays' of photovoltaic panels, plus associated works, at Meadwell, near the hamlet of Kelly.

The committee was told the grade three agricultural land was outside any designated area and the development would have no significant impact on either the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or Dartmoor National Park.

The arrays had been reconfigured and their angles reduced to lessen the development's impact, following initial concerns by English Heritage, West Devon's conservation officer and its landscape officer.

Councillors were told there were now no objections from the major consultees to the scheme, apart from Kelly Parish Council. A total of 16 letters had been received by residents.

In his report to the committee, planning officer Ben Dancer said: 'The scheme has been amended to take into account the concerns of officers and consultees with regard to the visual impact of this proposal. The current revisions are considered to address these concerns.

'The proposal is not a permanent form of development. The proposal does not require the alteration of the landscape features and the works are reversible at the end of the arrays' lifespan.'

Mr Dancer recommended the committee approve the scheme, subject to a list of 24 conditions, including landscaping and fencing.

But Cllr Donald Horn said the application was 'completely out of character' to the area, adjacent to the ancient hamlet of Kelly.

'My feeling is this is far too big, it will completely dwarf Kelly, take away the whole character of the area — I think it will kill this hamlet.'

Cllr Bill Cann said: 'At the site meeting, it was very clear to anybody standing in that field it would be a disaster to that village and two beautiful churches down in the valley.'

Cllr John Hockridge said: 'This is bringing industrial development into the rural countryside. We have to look at alternative ways of producing energy but I think we should be making more use of our rivers.'

The planning committe voted to turn down the application, on grounds of the negative visual impact on the landscape, the scale of the development and its impact on Kelly, home to a Grade I Listed church and the historic Kelly House.