Plans for a controversial solar farm have been refused for a second time.

Lightsource Renewable Energy had hoped to install 39,760 solar panels on land south of Beckingham Road, Great Totham.

It had scaled back its plans from 43,769 panels, after Maldon District Council rejected them in December.

But after the revised scheme attracted 112 letters of objection and was recommended for refusal by the north western area planning committee the application was turned down at a meeting of the planning and licensing committee last Thursday.

Reasons given for the refusal include the “significant objections” from the local community, that the proposals were considered to be inappropriately sited and akin to a large scale industrial development, impacting on the “highly sensitive” landscape.

Lightsource Renewable Energy was unavailable for comment.