A new solar farm will be built in the Oxfordshire countryside after developers successfully appealed a planning committee's decision to refuse it.
JBM Solar Projects had plans for a new solar farm near Stratton Audley last year by Cherwell District Council's planning committee.
This was despite planning officers recommending it for approval.
After an appeal hearing, the Planning Inspectorate has published its decision to allow the development to go ahead.
As well as the solar farm, the scheme includes battery-based electricity storage containers, access roads and landscaping.
READ MORE: Oxford restaurant liquidated and owed money to the banks
Location of new solar farm (Image: Cherwell District Council) In the district council's decision report, it said: "By virtue of the topography of the surrounding area and its exposed isolated location, the proposed solar farm, which would be visible from several public vantage points, would have a significant adverse landscape impact.
"The benefits of the scheme do not outweigh the harm identified."
Members of the public objected to the scheme as well as Stratton Audley Parish Council.
In its submission for the appeal hearing, the parish council said: "We are concerned that any temporary permission granted will inevitably result in a permanent site. Decisions should be made on that basis. Is this suitable as a permanently industrialised 140 acres amidst productive land providing great amenity benefit to the local population?"
Despite this, planning inspector Cullum Parker ruled in favour of the developer.
In his report, published on May 20, it said: "In terms of residential amenity, concerns have been raised in terms of the potential impact on local residents from noise; including those from low-frequency components.
"I have considered this within the conditions section of this decision. However, at this stage I am content that a planning condition could be reasonably imposed in order to safeguard the living conditions of nearby occupiers.
"Conditions expiring the permission after 40 years and decommissioning matters are reasonable and necessary in order to control the operational lifetime of the development as sought.
"These conditions would also ensure that when the operational life of the proposed development ends, the site will be both decommissioned and there would be a restoration scheme approved by the Local Planning Authority.
"This should also make provision for early cessation of renewable energy on site should that situation occur."
It added: "For the reasons given above, and having taken into account all matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.
"This is because even though the proposal does not accord with the adopted development plan for the area when considered as a whole, there are material considerations which indicate a decision otherwise than in accordance with the development plan in this instance."
The developer's application for costs was refused.