Plans for an electricity substation in Kent to connect one of the world's biggest wind farms to the national grid have been turned down.
A Shell WindEnergy consortium is planning 270 wind turbines on an offshore site between Kent and Essex.
The substation at Cleve Hill, Graveney, Kent, which forms part of the £1.5bn development, was refused planning consent by Swale Borough Council.
Shell must now decide whether to appeal or site the substation elsewhere.
Environmental impact
Residents of Graveney, a village near Faversham, objected to the development
Leader of Swale council, Andrew Bowles, said the substation would have a substantial environmental impact.
It lies with the North Kent Marshes Special Landscape Area, with cables having to be laid through the Swale Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Councillors also said the need for heavy lorries to pass through the village on winding lanes during the two to five-year construction period was unacceptable.
"This small rural community didn't ask for the wind farm and doesn't deserve to have its whole existence disrupted for several years," said Mr Bowles.
He said the consortium had several months in which to appeal.
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