A PLAN to put 200 solar panels on the world famous Burgh Island has been greeted with disbelief by local residents – and the former owners.

The proprietors of the Burgh Island Hotel want to cover a disused tennis court next to the iconic building with the panels.

They say the site will be screened by hedges. But Tony Porter and wife Beatrice – who bought and lovingly restored the hotel in the 80s – are worried and upset at the proposals.

And residents from across the South Hams have spoken out against the idea, with one saying the solar array would be 'a monstrous carbuncle on an old friend', and another 'a hideous eyesore'.

Mr Porter said the panels would be a 'scar' on the landscape, around 30 metres from the art-deco hotel made famous as the setting for two of writer Agatha Christie's murder mysteries.

He said: 'We spent 16 years of our lives restoring 'the jewel of the South Hams'. Although we sold it in 2001, it gives us great satisfaction to know that 1000s of people have visited, and looked down on the island from the top of Folly Hill, just as we did all those years ago.

'Pictures of the island show how the solar panels will stand out, even from ground level they'll be visible. They couldn't have chosen a worse place.

'I don't want to get into the pros and cons of solar electricity or planning laws – our parish council are experts on that.

'All I know is, we spent all that time trying to persuade people to come, and this will put people off.'

In his book 'The Great White Palace', Mr Porter talks about the first time he and his wife laid eyes on Burgh Island, and how they could do nothing except 'stop the car and gaze' at the 'small green island, which lay there sleeping in the pale winter sunshine'.

He continued: 'I'm sure they've got good commercial reasons for what they're doing. But we didn't think commerce and Burgh Island in the same sentence, and we never have.'

Dr Stuart Watts, chair of Bigbury Parish Council said the plans will be discussed at its meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at 7.30pm. He said: 'There's a huge amount of local interest in the issue, and we're advertising that we'll be discussing it at the meeting.

'There's a picture of Burgh Island on all the tourist brochures and advertising for the South Hams; it's the star tourist attraction of the South West and it has to be looked after.

'Our main concern is for the character of the landscape, and visual impact. In this case, we're very concerned about the impact on the landscape and we're having a public meeting to gather opinions and discuss it.'

Eight letters of objection, and none of support, have so far been received by South Hams Council.

Julie Sedgman of Stoke Gabriel wrote: 'Unbeliev-able! You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.'

'It may suit the hotel owners to put these solar panels on the island but it shows a shocking disregard for the feeling of the locals in Bigbury and the thousands of visitors.

'They may try to hide them by planting vegetation and making them grey- coloured but they'll still be there blotting the landscape.

'Think of the people, the wildlife, the paying guests, the history of the area.

'A completely hair-brained and needless idea... All to make money for the benefit of a few.'

The application states: 'We believe the above proposals would be a sensitive and positive contribution to the operation of this historic building, enhancing its continued use as the Burgh Island Hotel.'

The owners of the hotel are currently abroad, and their agents declined the opportunity to comment at this time.

The latest date for comments on the application is November 7.

To view the plans and comment, visit http://www.southhams.gov.uk">www.southhams.gov.uk and search for application number 05/2499/14/F.