An application for a solar farm in Hartlip has been refused.

The development was earmarked for a 12-acre stretch of land in Yaugher Lane and designed to provide electricity for 1,600 homes.

A total of 8,510 panels were proposed for the site which is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The proposal was rejected by Swale council’s planning committee during a meeting at Swale House on Thursday.

Cllr John Wright (Con) ward member for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch, said he was “pleased” with the outcome.

He said: “I know it’s very difficult for officers particularly when there are grey areas in terms of solar farms and national policy.

“But in this case, this site is within an area of outstanding natural beauty directly adjacent to a publicly-owned woods and park and would be highly visible to thousands of people who use that area.”

The farm lies opposite Potters Wood and Queendown Warren, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is run by Kent Wildlife Trust.

Hartlip Parish Council opposed the solar plan “most strongly” on a number of grounds, including it would “ruin the character of Yaugher Lane”.

Five letters of objection were also submitted by residents.

The application was recommended with conditions by planning officer, Jim Wilson, who said it would provide

“renewable energy in accordance with current local, UK and EU policy guidance”.

“It would be unlikely to give rise to any serious harm to rural or visual amenity in my opinion,” he said.

Cllr Wright said: “It’s all very well putting applications for officers to look at a site during summer when everything’s in full leaf, but turn up during winter, the area is far more accessible in terms of its views.”