“Whilst the benefits of renewable energy provision are given significant weight in the planning balance, it is not considered that this benefit would outweigh the significant cumulative and visual harm to the countryside in this case,” the notice added.
But while the inspector recognised that the development would cause harm to the countryside’s character, this was seen to be outweighed by the benefits the scheme will deliver, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
George McManus, from the East Riding Against Solar Expansion (ERASE) campaign group, said they were “disappointed” by the decision when other similar appeals for solar farms have been rejected by the Planning Inspectorate.
He said: “We’re very disappointed given that the Planning Inspectorate has just refused an appeal on a similar size project at Ashford in Kent. East Stour Solar Farm faced strong opposition to the proposal by EDF, from Ashford Borough Council (ABC).