Speaking against the project, Liberal Democrat Andrew Johnson said that because it would be located on a hill, the energy park – which will occupy 220 acres – would be visible from far away.

“This is a very broad and controversial request that has generated around 220 objections, which is huge,” he said.

“The officers have recommended approval based on a balance of all considerations, this means you can question and disagree with the balance and I would ask you to be very careful about some of the expressions that are used and some of the evidence cited because I would disagree with much of it.

“There is a summary of the balance sheet at the back and the conclusion is that there are two positives, eight neutrals and five negatives. I’m not sure how a positive endorsement will come out.”

Conservative councilor Giles Clifton also came out against the project, saying it would impact valuable landscape and was a “form of utilitarian development”.

However, Conservative MP David Wilby said Pilton Farm was “a nice little package” compared to Mallard Pass, which he would find hard to turn down overall.

Labour’s Steve McRobb said he thought the issue was “very finely balanced” but came out in favor of it.