CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a solar farm in the New Forest countryside have been thrown out after sparking more than 50 objections.

Members of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) have rejected an application to construct a 22-acre facility on part of the Exbury Estate.

Critics claimed the scheme would result in the “industrialisation” of agricultural land near a popular footpath off Lepe Road, Exbury.

It comes just two months after the NPA refused to support proposals to build a 14- acre solar farm in Vaggs Lane, Hordle.

The Exbury application prompted 55 letters of protest, plus objections from the New Forest Association, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the 122-member Exbury and Lepe Community Group.

NPA member Richard Frampton said at the time: “It will change the face of the site for at least 25 years and will be totally detrimental to the area. There’s no way we can afford to take good agricultural land out of production for a blot on the landscape.”

Another member of the authority, Cllr David Harrison, said: “I’m a great supporter of solar panels but they have to be in the right place.

‘Negative impact’ “We have a responsibility as a national park authority to look after the landscape and I believe this would have a negative impact.”

Members of the public who addressed the meeting included Sally May, from the New Forest branch of Friends of the Earth.

Supporting the proposal, she said the solar farm would produce enough electricity to power 1,500 homes and added: “I would ask anyone who objects to the application ‘where do you think our energy will come from in the future?’.”

NPA members heard that the scheme had sparked ten letters of support.

One letter said the solar farm would provide a longterm income for the Exbury Estate, which had five fulltime and 14 part-time members of staff and was one of the biggest employers in the village.

But the application, by MTS Exbury Solar Ltd, was rejected after further debate.