Plans to build controversial solar farm approved

Plans to build a solar farm the size of 55 football pitches in Kent has been approved despite push back from local residents.

Some feared the 40-hectare (100-acre) site would spoil the Romney Marsh landscape, but the developer, Environmena, said it would power more than 10,000 homes.

At a Folkestone and Hythe District Council meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted eight to four in favour of the proposal.

The authority said the application was "judged to be, on balance, acceptable on planning grounds".

The site, off St Mary's Road, opposite Marten Farm, is currently in agricultural use and will still be used for grazing if the panels are built.

The campaign group Hands Off Our Marsh said it was "disappointed that the councillors who voted for the project did not take into account residents' valid concerns".

Amanda Farrant, spokesperson for the group, added: "As residents of Romney Marsh, it is us who will have to live with the disruption and harm this scheme will bring to our landscape, roads, tourism and agriculture."

In the meeting, councillor Colin Wollard cited concerns including flood risks and "disruption and damage that large amounts of heavy construction traffic would cause to the road network".

Meanwhile, councillor David Wimble, who represents New Romney Marsh, said: "I do not object to renewable energy, but I do not support this application, which is a large-scale solar on high-quality greenfield agricultural land.

"This site is productive marsh farmland, part of food infrastructure of this country and will increasingly rely on this in uncertain times."

Environmena said that the site would be managed to restore and enhance the natural environment through native planting, wildflower meadows, hedgerow improvements and ongoing ecological monitoring.

Chief development officer, Mark Harding, said: "This is a well-considered scheme that supports both the national drive towards net zero and Folkestone & Hythe's local climate action ambitions."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.