Two solar farms on Greenbelt land have been refused by the planning inspectorate, after developers appealed over the council’s decision.

Plans for a 90 acre solar farm in Hoscar have been turned down, as has the application for a 110 acre solar farm at Gerard Hall in Aughton.

The Planning Inspector recommended both schemes for refusal, because of inappropriate development on the Greenbelt.

A protest group that was set up against the Hoscar solar farm, Stop Hoscar Solar Farm welcomed the inspector’s decision.

They said: “We won ’round one’ with a unanimous WLBC planning committee vote against the proposed solar plant, however the developer, Greenswitch, appealed the decision.

“On 21st January 2016, we received news that Greenswitch’s appeal had been recommended for refusal by the Planning Inspector and the Secretary of State concurred.

“We won on the grounds of inappropriate development of the green belt, moderate harm to landscape character and significant harm to visual impact and adverse impact on protected species and habitats.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who offered support during our campaign and played an active role by writing in, making donations, displaying signs, posting on social media, banner waving, objection writing and many, many more tasks that have needed doing during this long and complex planning and appeal process.

“You have helped keep Hoscar Moss safe for future generations who can now look forward to enjoying its openness and take pleasure in the variety of wildlife that it plays host to.

“The planned 90 acre solar industrial complex would have been visible for miles around and would certainly have had a very detrimental impact on the rural character of this green belt area.

“This is a victory for people power.”

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper also praised the decision.

She said: “This is fantastic news for the residents who stood up and made their voices heard in opposing these solar farm plans.

“Local residents said no, the Borough Council said no and now central government has given the final definitive no to these plans.

“As I have said previously, the need for renewable energy should not override the substantial environmental and community interests of concerns.

“We cannot accept a situation in which West Lancashire becomes the dumping ground for these renewable energy projects from which other benefits to the detriment of West Lancashire and its residents.

“Renewable energy has to be part of our energy mix to help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

“Developing large scale schemes in the greenbelt is not the place to start.

“Following the refusal at Gerrard’s Hall in Aughton alongside this decision there is a clear message that these types of developments will not be allowed in the greenbelt.”