Campaigners are delighted that plans for a solar farm at Little Chalfield have been thrown out but say is too soon to celebrate victory.

At a Western Area Planning Committee meeting, at Trowbridge Country Hall, the proposal was overthrown by five votes to four.

The proposed development was for the construction of a 12 megawatt solar farm on 25 hectares of land for a period of 25 years on land West of Ganbrook Farm, Broughton Gifford, built by developers Sun Edison and Solar Planning Limited.

It was dismissed on the grounds that it was a “dominant and uncharacteristic development” and the security cameras and fencing would cause “unacceptable harm to the landscape character”.

However it was highlighted that it was not the end as the developer could appeal against the decision.

It comes after residents staged a protest in Broughton Gifford over the building on greenfield sites last weekend.

Little Chalfield resident Phillip Addis, who has been campaigning against the development, said: “We are obviously very pleased because we felt that all the presentations we made were very compelling.

“The amount of objection from the local community was overwhelming, so we think the process that has gone through has vindicated a good process.

“I think as one of the speakers said, it feels as though perhaps Wiltshire has reached a tipping point for developments of this kind.”

Wiltshire councilor Terry Chivers, who represents Melksham Without North, said: “I’m delighted, it was a bit close for comfort but they have taken notice of the local people and that’s the most important thing.

“If they go to an appeal it is in the hands of an inspector and if they come to a decision we will accept it."

A SunEdison spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Western Area Planning Committee has decided to over-turn the Planning Officer's recommendation to approve the proposed Little Chalfield solar farm.

“The project had the potential to generate enough electricity to power around 2,500 homes a year and had received a good response from the local community when we consulted on the proposals in the spring.

"We will now be reviewing next steps."