THE Old Hutton gas fired power station and battery storage has been refused planning permission by South Lakeland District Council's planning committee today.

More than 100 members of the public turned out to the meeting to oppose the controversial development, which proposed a power station and a battery storage unit on land north of the village.

Councillors voted unanimously to refuse planning permission.

Campaigners, who have opposed the development since it was first suggested, were jubilant, and vowed to 'fight tooth and nail' if developers Statera chose to appeal the decision.

The application was refused permission on the grounds that it was damage the area's landscape, and that it required development of countryside which contravened the local policy.

Members of the public also voiced concerns over the noise generated by the power station, emissions, proximity to the primary school and the burden construction vehicles would place on the areas roads.

Statera are expected to appeal the decision.