CAMPAIGNERS opposing a bid to build the third and largest solar farm in Monmouthshire have had their hopes dashed after the energy firm behind the proposal won its appeal.

People living near the site at Manor Farm on the outskirts of Llanvapley, near Abergavenny, said they were disappointed and saddened that the 38,000 panels can be put in place across six fields, "spoiling a beautiful area of countryside and taking land away from farmers".

Les Taylor, of the campaign group Beautiful Yet Threatened said it will be too large and stand out too much in the area.

“There is a great deal of sadness in the area and quite a bit of surprise,” he added.

“Many people agree that there are enough solar farms either built or about to be built, and that they have a harmful effect on the countryside.

“Solar panels are not things of beauty and fields full of them are a real eyesore and a turn off for tourists."

A multi-million pound scheme by energy specialists Camborne Energy Investments Limited for 45,000 panels on 66 acres of fields at Manor Farm sparked controversy among locals but was refused by Monmouthshire council’s planning committee in July of last year. A revised scheme for 38,000 panels failed after the committee went against its officers recommendations.

But the firm, which now trades as 3cenergy, lodged an appeal in March to build - what will be one of the largest solar farms in Europe - on land leased from farmers Robin Foord and Bernard Blackwell, and won following a five-day hearing held at Shire Hall, Monmouth, in March and October.

Clive Nield, the planning inspector appointed by the Welsh Government, concluded that the development would not have an unacceptable adverse effect on the character of the wider landscape area or the visual amenity of the area.

He added that it would have no serious effect on views into or out of the national park or on the settings of listed buildings or scheduled scheduled ancient monuments.

Local ward councillor, Sara Jones said: “I am saddened by this decision. It goes against the wishes of the majority of the local community and the Council's own planning committee who opted to refuse it.”

The firm has said it will create 25 temporary jobs and that the scheme would provide 2,788 homes with their total electricity needs.

The Free Press made several attempts to contact 3cenergy.