Burgh Island solar panel screening stepped up

Objectors say the solar panels will spoil the view of the island

New plans for 200 solar panels at a Devon beauty spot include increased screening, to try to appease objectors to the proposals.

An amended plan for Burgh Island, in south Devon, has been submitted to South Hams District Council.

The plans state a bank and hedging will "create visual screening" for the panels on a former tennis court.

Objectors said it would not stop the view of the island being spoiled from a hill which approaches the island.

The new proposal shows a bank and hedging up to 3.5m (11ft) high

The original plans were submitted last October by Deborah and Tony Orchard, who own the island and its Art Deco hotel, where writer Agatha Christie used to stay.

The plans, which included some hedging, were rejected unanimously by Bigbury Parish Council, on the grounds the panels would be a blot on the landscape.

The new proposal shows a bank and hedging up to 3.5m (11ft) high, raising the screening by about 75cm (2ft).

BURGH ISLAND

Inspired the setting for Agatha Christie novel, the Hercule Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun.

The 2002 TV adaptation of Christie's Evil Under The Sun used the island as a filming location.

Hotel visited by playwright Noel Coward in 1930s.

Brits-award winning singer Ben Howard released an EP name after the island in 2012.

Stuart Watts, chairman of Bigbury Parish Council, said: "This small change is unlikely to appease parishioners or any of the numerous other objectors to the scheme."

Tony Porter, former owner of the island, said: "It is still not high enough to conceal the panels when you look from the top of Folly Hill, which is the approach to the island taken by thousands of holidaymakers every year."

Mr and Mrs Orchard were unavailable for comment.