Plans for a huge renewable energy scheme in Marlow have been thrown out just months after the plug was pulled on a 'green' hydro power project for the town – leading campaigners to raise questions over the districts attitude towards clean energy.

In the same week ministers publicised fears the UK would not meet its climate change targets, Wycombe District Council officially rejected an application to build hundreds of solar panels across land earmarked for a country park.

Whilst supporting green energy WDC binned the plans for Little Marlow Lakes Country Park on the grounds it would cause “substantial harm” to views across south Bucks including the Chiltern’s AONB.

This is the second renewable energy project the town has lost, after the heavily criticised hydro power scheme on Marlow’s weir – led by South East Power Engineering - was thrown out in December due to government cuts.

The solar proposal - put forward by energy company Anesco - was pegged to power 1,500 homes, with environmentalists saying the opportunity would turn Marlow in to a progressive “beacon of excellence”.

The project would have been approved if the location was more suitable, according to WDC, but it had to take in to account the "very sensitive landscape."

A spokesman said: “The proposal causes substantial harm to the Green Belt both by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness.

“Furthermore it conflicts with the Local Plan allocation of the site as a country park.

“In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal is also considered to have an unacceptable impact on the quality and character of important and sensitive landscape views, including the setting of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

However Marlow Green Party campaigner John Laker said he “fears” for future generations as oil and coal supplies continue to diminish.

He said: “I have a lot of fear for future generations. Other counties are much more progressive. You go down to

Cornwall and there are solar panels and wind farms.

“It disappoints me that any plans to protect electricity other than gas or coal are thrown out by Marlow or Wycombe District.

“Solar is temporary. I don’t have a problem with it at all and the panels can be removed at any instance.”

This comes as Westminster’s Energy and Climate Change Committee said the government’s subsidy cuts to renewable energy had deterred investors, potentially forcing energy bills up.

In turn this could cause the UK to miss its targets on energy security and climate change, according to MPs.

Referring to the shelved bid to install a hydro power system on the Thames at Marlow, Mr Laker continued: “Those screws were going in the river that people would not notice or see -but everyone kicked up a fuss about it.

“If people are happy for the electricity to be turned off at some stage because not enough energy is being provided then so be it.”