PLANS for a solar farm have been thrown out in Croft.

London firm SunEGreenfield wanted to install ground-mounted solar panels on nine hectares of land to the east of Kenyon Lane.

In a planning statement, the applicant said the scheme would help the UK’s obligation for 15 per cent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.

But the proposal split the community with many letters of objection and support sent to Warrington Borough Council.

Daniel Lomax, of Eastford Road, said: I wish to support the application for a solar farm as I work in the area and often take my parents' dog for walks and enjoy the countryside.

"The solar farm will ensure the land is protected from alternative development and enable me and my family to enjoy walking there in the future."

But Simon Mulvey, of Kenyon Lane, said: "The development is on an industrial scale and totally unsuitable for the greenbelt.

"The type and scale of this proposal would completely destroy the open aspect of this land and the surrounding environment.

"Furthermore, the noise generated by the transformers would provide an additional nuisance to the nearby residents."

Warrington Borough Council's planning officers refused the plans saying it was an inappropriate development on green belt land.

They said the proposal would detract from visual amenity and the character of the rural area and could spoil people's enjoyment of the public footpaths near the site.

There were also safety concerns about access for vehicles around a public right of way.