Neighbours of a proposed 174-acre solar farm scheme voted almost unanimously against it at a packed public meeting, say campaigners opposed to the plan.

Llanover Community Council held the event at Llanddewi Rhydderch village hall to outline and discuss the proposed giant green energy scheme at Penpergwm near Abergavenny, which is part of a planning application to the Welsh Government.

Alan Watson of local opposition group HUSTLE (Help Us Stop This Looming Eyesore) said more than 95 per cent of those attending objected to the scheme in a vote.

Don Grant, HUSTLE chairman, was invited to address the meeting with information the group has accumulated since the green energy scheme on fields at Great House Farm, close to Welsh Gastropub of the Year The Hardwick, was first unveiled two years ago.

And Mr Watson said: “Most at the meeting were unaware of the many salient points raised with regard to the choice of site and particularly the sudden change of managed acreage, from 103 acres to 174 acres, since the prior consultation.

“Fears were expressed over a likely further planning application for more panels and/or battery storage facilities.

“Doubts were also raised about the developer’s dismissive approach to the severe adverse visual impacts apparent from almost all directions.

“Indeed most local people were horrified at the size and position of this proposal and cannot understand why alternative brownfield or derelict industrial sites have not been considered.”

He added: “Local farming opinion was that, contrary to the developer’s findings, the general area in and around the proposed site consists of large amounts of best and most valuable agricultural land ideal for growing cereals and other food crops…

“Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agricultural Land Classification (1988) most of the farm is Grade 3a and so is among ‘the best and most versatile’ land in England and Wales.

“This ranks it among some of the best land in Wales, where there is little land better than Grades 3b or 4.

“Suggestions that the land could be returned to its former use 40 years hence have been deemed impossible by most informed opinion.”

Other matters raised at the meeting included potential noise and nuisance during construction, access along the narrow King Road, and surface water flooding with possible pollution and soil erosion.

There were also concerns about a “negative effect” on the local tourist industry, compromises over local historic sites and the question of the ongoing ownership of the site if built, plus the commitment of whoever it might be, to the area and the community.

The full hall responded to a request by the council to give their views to assist the council to help their response as consultees to the Great House Energy Centre Limited scheme.

Mr Watson said a vote was taken after many searching questions and answers indicating that more than 95 per cent of those present were opposed to the development.

Because of the size of the scheme, it has been called in for consideration by the Welsh Government.

HUSTLE members have previously compared the proposed solar farm to prisoner of war camp Colditz, and are consulting lawyers for the upcoming planning battle.

GHECL claim the farm will power 11,180 homes, although HUSTLE counter that it will be an eyesore for miles around.

The site of the proposed renewable energy farm, north of the A40 dual carriageway and Old Raglan Road, will be visible from the garden of The Hardwick, owned by Gordon Ramsay’s best man, Stephen Terry, and sits 100m from the Grade II-listed 16th Century Great House and Parc Lettis barn.

GHECL says on its consultation website: “The project will generate enough electricity to power over 11,000 homes, and make a significant contribution to Welsh climate commitments… An estimated 18,000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved each year.”

“The installation will result in no irreversible impacts,” they add, while its rural location means “few residential properties will experience impactful views”.

But HUSTLE say site plans, panoramic photos and professionally-produced drone footage show how the “intrusive solar arrays” will be visible.

For more details of the scheme, go to https://penpergwmsolar.co.uk.

Anyone who wishes to make representations about the planning application should email

[email protected] reference DNS/3252305 before March 31, or write to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales at Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 4NQ.

For more information, contact [email protected]