A solar farm proposed for land near a former pit village has been refused planning permission.

Aura Power's plan drew 75 objections, with opposition from county and parish councillors who said it was a "massive scale" development in the wrong place.

The firm applied to install a solar farm at Croup Hill, south of Beaconsyde Farm, Broadoaks, Murton.

Paul Penman from Murton Parish Council said the 100-acre development disregarded residents and was an "overwhelming" encroachment on open countryside enjoyed for centuries.

He told Durham County Council's planning committee: "We feel this development will have a negative impact on all aspects of the environment.

"We feel that wrong piece of jigsaw is getting forced into a space it does not fit."

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Ward councillor Robert Adcock-Foster said it would "not only turn unspoilt countryside into a massive glaring glass but turn vital agricultural land into an industrial site".

Cllr Julie Griffiths said: "Murton residents treasure our countryside. This proposal will destroy the landscape and amenities.

"It is ludicrous to suggest that there will be no impact on residents' health and wellbeing."

Objectors said the plan was intrusive, misplaced, untested, community-damaging and "riddled" with landscape and ecological issues, with one telling the meeting: "It's not necessary. It doesn't fit.

"It's grossly unfair. We're talking industrial-scale green energy concentrated in a small area."

Objectors also had concerns about proximity to houses, fire risk, radiation and impact on roads, wildlife, house prices, food production and agricultural land.

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Aura Power development manager Chris Featonby said the farm would help tackle the climate crisis, saving over 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, and generate enough elecricity to power 17,000 homes.

He added: "It is a temporary development and after 35 years all the infrastructure can be safely removed and the panels will be recycled.

"The land will likely return to farming in better condition than before."

The company's communications manager Chloe Hood said they consulted with the community, listened to their views and provided a £17,500-a-year community benefit fund during the farm's life to help households and businesses.

She said: "Hawthorn Pit Solar Farm will continue the area's proud tradition of energy generation but will be doing it in a clean sustainable way that the future generations can be proud of."

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Council landscape officers said it would harm the character, quality and distinctiveness of the landscape and important views.

But planning officers recommended approval, saying the benefits for energy supply, renewables, biodiversity and jobs outweighed the drawbacks.

During the committee's debate, Cllr David Boyes said: "I don't think anybody in here's against renewable energies. I think it's great that the North-east is going to be vanguard of new renewable technology.

"I think the problem is this is a massive site in the most populated part of County Durham. My main concern is that this is the wrong development at the wrong site."

Cllr Patricia Jopling said: "This is on somebody's doorstep. I find it really difficult to justify."

Cllr Peter Molloy compared the plan to a previous rejected solar farm proposal for Thinford: "I think the location of this one is worse."

Read more: Solar farm plan split County Durham councillors

Cllr Alan Bell added: "It's a good scheme but in the wrong place. We also must listen to the locals and they've come out in force today."

Cllr Bill Moist urged developers to look for more suitable brownfield sites: "I should be voting for this, but there's just not enough work been done for me on this to satisfy my concerns."

Cllrs Maura McKeon urged more engagement with communities: "Benefits outweigh the harm? Yes, perhaps globally. Locally, absolutely not."

She suggested deferring the plan, saying: "We shouldn't be throwing out every single piece of work or every single solar farm that comes in front of us.

"But at the same time there are some serious issues with this application."

Cllr Carl Marshall suggested working with developers and communities to pick suitable sites.

The committee voted to refuse the plan.

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