PLANS for a West Cumbrian solar park the size of about 10 football pitches have been thrown out.

New NRG 02 Ltd wanted to install 33,000 solar panels on farmland half a mile west of Westnewton.

The 25-year development would cover a 13.65-hectare site.

Allerdale council's development panel met on Tuesday to consider the plans, following a site visit.

They agreed with the recommendation of planning officers that the plans should be thrown out because of the impact they would have on views and because the development would be half on the best quality farmland.

Steve Long, planning officer, said: "Officers consider that both landscape and agricultural land aspects are unsatisfactory and will be detrimental to the locality."

Councillor Malcolm Grainger said: "It's a good idea in the wrong place."

The energy company said the 5MW park would provide power for more than 1,000 homes.

A substation, security fencing and CCTV cameras would have been installed.

The parish councils at Westnewton, Bothel and Threapland, and Allhallows objected to the plans, along with Westnewton Action Group, Friends of Rural Cumbria's Environment and Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart.

There were 27 other letters against the plan, along with five of support.

Coun Nicky Cockburn moved refusal, seconded by Coun Ron Munby.

The vote was unanimous.