CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson was 'delighted' at the news that the proposed solar farm at Hunsterson had been rejected by councillors.

Edward met with local campaigners to listen to their concerns, visited the proposed site, and lobbied Cheshire East Council in support of their objections to the planning application.

He said: "I was approached by a number of local residents who were extremely concerned about the proposed solar farm at Hatherton Lodge Farm in Hunsterson.

"It is a sparsely-populated area and they were worried that there would be few objections. However, I was strongly of the belief that this should not diminish the importance of their views, and so wrote to Cheshire East Council in support of them.

"Renewable energy generation is important, but we need to be careful that we do not over-incentivise large-scale ground-mounted projects in inappropriate places – particularly greenfield agricultural land – that could generate strong opposition in local communities.

"It needs careful design and to be properly thought through it should not be a case of renewable energy at any cost. Impacts on the local community, on landscape and on consumer bills have to be a real consideration.

"I am therefore delighted that Cheshire East Council have listened and rejected this application."