PLANS for a solar farm close to the River Itchen and a historic Hampshire farmhouse have sparked furious opposition.

Sevington Farm applied for permission to site 48 panels on land a few yards from the 15th century grade II* listed building Sevington Manor at Tichborne near Alresford.

It would be the third solar scheme announced in central Hampshire in the last few weeks following proposals for large solar farms at Houghton and Itchen Abbas.

Villagers at Tichborne have objected to the Sevington plans with more than 20 letters of objection to the South Downs National Park.

The proposals have been withdrawn, but it was unclear whether this is a temporary withdrawl. The farmer Robert Foot was unavailable for comment.

The scheme invisaged a 12kw plant situated on land near the barns and close to a public footpath and only some 50 yards from the Itchen water meadows.

Patrick Roper, landlord of the Tichborne Arms, said in a letter: “As the local pub landlord I normally try to remain neutral on local issues. However this application is so outrageous that I feel I should add my voice to the objecting lobby.

“It is quite contrary to the ethos of National Park status to erect what amounts to an industrial structure. To consider the erection of so many ugly and intrusive devices is nothing short of scandalous and shows a total disregard for neighbours and members of the public.

“As the local pub landlord I hear the views of many people, both local and visiting and I have yet to hear a single voice supporting this application.”

George McWhirter, of Sevington Manor, said: “The 48 solar panels will spoil the views from some of the windows of our house and also from our garden.”

Robert Raimes, who farms nearby Grange Farm, said: “If this application was to be passed it would go against the whole reasoning for setting up the national park and completely destroy the integrity of the SDNP allowing for bigger schemes to be developed in the future.”

Denise Hendrie, of Tichborne, said: “This proposal would be detrimental to the view, completely out of character with the surrounding area and its proximity to a grade II* listed building wholly unsuitable.”

Among the objectors was Alison Davidson, head of historic environment at the city council, who is concerned about the impact on the setting of Sevington Manor.

There was some local support. Retired watercress farmer John Curtis, a member of Tichborne Parish Council, said: “I’m not against it. It does not interfere with me. It is a working farm and he (Mr Foot) wants to make sure he can get power to work the drier.”