Controversial plans for a 190-acre solar farm have been turned down by councillors after protests that the project would have meant using the best and most versatile agricultural land.

Hambleton planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved, but councillors voted nine to two that it be turned down amid concerns the land at Scruton, near Bedale, should be kept for food production.

Applicant Lightrock said the 49.9MW scheme would have met the annual energy needs of up to 15,000 homes and the land could be used for agriculture as well as creating electricity.

Campaigners were jubilant after the decision but said the plan was destined to fail because using high quality grade 2b land for solar farms was against national and Hambleton local plan policies.

Initially the site was said to be low quality grade 3b land, but independent consultants brought in by Hambleton revealed 92 per cent of it was grade two, the best and most versatile land. More than 120 people objected to the plan with 86 writing in support of the scheme because of the benefits of clean energy.

Planning officers supported the application saying: “In summary it is considered that the harmful impacts of the development are sufficiently offset by the public and environmental benefits of the generation of renewable electricity and on this basis the application is recommended for approval.”

Objector Mike Widmer said after Hambleton commissioned its own exercise at taxpayers expense, which established that 92 per cent of the land was actually grade two, solar was really out of the question because the local plan had stated quite clearly that grade two land should not be used for solar.

He added: “People will no doubt bring out the well worn response that solar is good for the country. And it is. But there is not one jot of benefit added by having it on grade two land. It brings exactly the same benefit on grade 3b or even brownfield land. But the consequence of putting solar on grade two land means that land able to produce milling wheat and potatoes has been lost for a period of between 40 years and forever.

“When benefits are being assessed the cumulative outcome of solar and the food chain should be looked at together. Not just the benefit from solar.”

Campaigner Elaine McGregor said the majority of local people were against the scheme and although Lightrock said it was a temporary site, it was for 40 years. Now objectors are hoping it is not resurrected or goes to appeal.

She added: “I don’t think they should be resurrecting this, it is very clear from the government's stance and Hambleton’s at the end of the day everybody is in favour of clean energy but they shouldn’t be doing it on the best and most versatile agricultural land.

“We are looking at a crisis over food production, people have to eat and this land would not have been back in use for food production for 40 years or more.“

Lightrock have been contacted for a response.