'Ridiculous' solar farm plan rejected

Campaigner Jo Loader-Young said plans for a solar farm in the Malvern Hills were "particularly ridiculous"

Plans to build a 271‑acre solar farm have been rejected, with one campaign group labelling the plans as "ridiculous".

The site would have been situated between Worcester and Malvern, and the plans were initially submitted by German construction giant RWE.

Campaigner Jo Loader-Young said: "This is particularly ridiculous. It's in the setting of the Malvern Hills and the Malvern Hills have been an area of outstanding natural beauty because their special feature is a wonderful view."

An RWE spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that our Chapel Hill Solar Farm has been rejected by Malvern Hills District Council and are evaluating the next steps forward for this project."

Ms Loader-Young, a member of The Preserving Powick Land and Nature (PPLAN) group, said the area had seen a "resurgence" in the local economy but warned tourists would not come if "you ruin it".

She also said solar panels threatened farming, adding: "Where are we going to get our food from if we've already plastered our farm land with solar panels?"

Other opponents to the plans raised concerns over its impact on the landscape, local wildlife, road safety, and potential fire risks linked to battery storage systems.

The solar farm, near Powick, would have covered 271‑acres

The plans went through public consultation with Malvern District Council that concluded in March.

The council met on 10 November to discuss and ultimately dismiss the plans.

Ian Macleod, director of planning and infrastructure at the council, said "the scale and siting of this scheme would cause unacceptable harm" to the landscape.

He added: "The council respects that this was a major proposal with strong views on both sides, but our role is to determine applications on their planning merits.

"In this case, the evidence presented in favour of the proposals was not deemed to outweigh the identified significant harms nor could these impacts be appropriately mitigated."