RESIDENTS in the parish of Shilton fear a third solar farm could still be built next to their village despite plans being refused by West Oxfordshire District Council.

Green electricity provider Ecotricity (Next Generation) Ltd proposed to build the Shilton Downs Solar Park on almost 60 acres of private land at Silton Farm.

The park was to include solar panels, a control room and a security system with fencing and infrared cameras.

West Oxfordshire District Council’s lowlands area planning committee objected on the grounds the park would have too much of an impact on the open countryside and was too near the Shilton Conservation Area, which is a protected area.

The park was also deemed to be too near the Kencot Hill Solar Farm and the Westerfield Solar Farm, which have already been built near the village.

District councillor Alex Postan said the developer could take its case to the planning inspectorate and get the go-ahead on appeal because of the need to meet Government targets on green energy.

The Westerfield site was refused by the district council but passed by the planning inspectorate on appeal in 2013.