Locals outraged by plan to install solar panels on iconic Burgh Island

The iconic Burgh Island hotel is one of the few buildings on the island Credit: Barry Batchelor/PA Archive/Press Association Images

South Devon residents have expressed their outrage at a proposal to install solar panels near an iconic hotel on Burgh Island.

The Art Deco hotel is the only building on the tiny green island and is famous for its associations with Agatha Christie, providing the inspiration for her novel Evil Under The Sun.

The owners have applied to South Hams District Council to install 200 solar panels on an old tennis court as energy costs have spiraled in recent years.

Although the planning submission details how the tennis court would be shielded from view by tall vegetation, some local residents believe it will be visible from the mainland.

One letter of representation from Julie Sedgman in nearby Totnes described the proposal as a "hair-brained and needless idea". She wrote:

Lyn Drent from South Brent wrote: "For the owners of such an iconic site as Burgh Island to put in an application to deface their beautiful environment is beyond belief."

View of Burgh Island in Devon Credit: Martin Keene/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Tony Porter, who owned the island until 2001, is quoted on BBC News as saying he is "horrified" by the idea:

The current owners, Deborah Clark and Tony Orchard, were not immediately available for comment but said in their application:

South Hams District Council is to hear residents' views on the proposal at a meeting on 12th November.

Watch the full report by Richard Lawrence here: