Solar farm plans refused after council vote

Plans for a 200-acre (81-hectare) solar farm have been rejected by councillors.

Energy company EDF had applied to build the solar farm across 19 agricultural fields at Trelion Farm, near St Stephen in Cornwall.

But members of Cornwall Council's Strategic Planning Committee voted to refuse planning permission by seven votes to three at a meeting.

Opponent Rose Barnecut welcomed the decision and said local people had felt the proposal would have caused too much damage to the area. EDF said it would review the details of the decision before it considered taking any further action.

Barnecut, a neighbouring farmer whose family has farmed across the valley for a century, said after the meeting she was "delighted by this decision".

She explained several solar sites had been developed nearby in recent years without attracting objections, but said this proposal was different because of its scale and location.

"The clay country has been the beating heart of the economy for Cornwall for 200 years - give us a break," she said.

"This is the right decision for Cornwall without any question."

Barnecut also suggested approval could have encouraged further large-scale solar developments on agricultural land in Cornwall.

Despite celebrating the decision, Barnecut acknowledged the dispute might not be over as EDF has the right to appeal against the refusal.

"The fight definitely goes on, but you know, for today we'll take the win," she said.

An EDF spokesperson said the company continued to believe the site was an excellent location for the size of solar farm proposed.

"We will be reviewing the details of the decision before deciding on any further action," they added.

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