The company behind plans for a 6.5 hectare solar farm at Edgcumbe has had its appeal against a planning refusal by Cornwall Council turned down by the government.

The Department for Communities and Local Government dismissed the appeal, which had been submitted against Cornwall Council’s rejection of the development at Butteris Farm in December 2014

The council had rejected the plans due to the farm's proximity to an already existing solar development and the fear that the cumulative visual impact of both would harm the landscape’s natural quality.

This decision was subsequently appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, at which point Camborne, Redruth & Hayle MP George Eustice wrote to DCLG, asking that the application be recovered by the Secretary of State for final determination. The decision to dismiss the appeal was made on January 28.

The Secretary of State said, in his determination of the case, that the main issue at stake was the character and appearance of the area, although he also gave consideration to the impact on agricultural land and nearby historic buildings, and took into account the benefits of the renewable power that would be produced.

He stated: "The proposal, combined with the existing array, would result in a major adverse impact on the local landscape and character of the rural fields in which it would be located, albeit reducing to minor adverse impacts on the wider landscape."

He added that the two farms would "become the defining characteristic of the area."

Mr Eustice said: "This is a great result for Cornwall and the local community, which resoundingly chose to reject this proposed solar farm. I have always opposed field scale solar developments, which are a serious blight on the landscape, and often take good agricultural land out of production.

"Renewable energy developments need to be done with the support of the local community, not inflicted on them and I am pleased I was able to convince the Secretary of State to reject this application."