A SCHEME to build one of the biggest solar farms in the heart of the Hampshire countryside has been put on hold.

The secretary of state for communities and local government Eric Pickles has stepped to row over the scheme.

It comes hours after Test Valley councillors gave German green energy giant Kronos the thumbs up to build a scaled down version of the company’s more contentious scheme to put 225,456 solar panels on agricultural lands at Eveley Farm in Houghton near Stockbridge.

The decision came despite planning officers recommending the scheme be turned down.

Mr Pickles placed a “holding direction” on the application preventing Kronos from going ahead with the proposal until he decides whether or not to call the application in and make a decision on the plans himself.

Daily Echo: A solar farm.

It has been welcomed by protesters who thought they had lost their battle to stop the project for 185, 472 panels going ahead.

Alan Josling from Broughton Against Kronos Solar said: “We maintain our strong opposition to this proposal, especially given that Kronos has succeeded in rushing through this application.”

A public inquiry was due to be held on May 13 into the original 225,456 panel scheme rejected by Test Valley councillor last year but Kronos agreed to drop the appeal after getting permission earlier this week when councillors agreed that the project would benefit the environment and help reduce the impacts of climate change.

Speakers from Broughton Parish Council and Broughton Pro Solar group spoke in favour of the application which has the support of more than 600 people in the area.

Kronos’s MD Alexander Arcache said the scheme covers around 150-acres, is 32-acres less than the original, and would generate enough energy to power 12,500 homes.

Kronos was unaware of Eric Pickles ‘holding direction’ until informed by the Daily Echo and did not provide a comment.