Government blocks plans for solar farm

Plans for a massive solar farm in rural Northamptonshire have been turned down by the government.

The 175-acre (70-hectare) site would have stretched across two fields near the villages of Gayton, Rothersthorpe and Milton Malsor.

A planning inspector had recommended the scheme should go ahead.

The developer, Anesco, said the plans would "offer a sustainable development that would bring a raft of benefits".

The proposed development, which would have created enough energy to power more than 13,000 homes, was refused by West Northamptonshire Council in October 2022.

Anesco lodged an appeal, which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate, but that decision has been overturned by local government minister Simon Hoare.

Parish councils, the Canal and River Trust and local MP Chris Heaton-Harris were among those who had raised objections to the scheme.

The government acknowledged the benefits of the plans, including the production of renewable energy and estimated carbon savings of 11,000 tonnes a year, as well as the creation of jobs.

But Mr Hoare dismissed the plans on the grounds that the solar panels and other infrastructure, including transformers, inverters and fencing, would "inevitably introduce a fundamental change to agricultural land" and cause "major visual harm".

Anesco has six weeks to challenge the decision. The BBC has asked the company for comment.