Concern over solar farms 'triple the size of Gatwick'

There are concerns that schemes such as this will destroy the landscape

An area of Romney Marsh more than three times bigger than Gatwick Airport could be lost to huge solar farms, claims one countryside charity.

CPRE said that, if approved, the Shepway, South Brooks and South Kent Energy Parks would damage an area of Kent containing both "unique and fragile wildlife habitats and some of the UK's most productive farmland".

"The transition to renewables does not need to come at the cost of the countryside," said CPRE Kent director Andrea Griffiths.

Three energy companies - SSE Renewables (SSE), EDF Power Solutions UK/PS Renewables and Low Carbon respectively - are responsible for the projects.

Romney Marsh has been described as "a well-known and cherished region"

CPRE has suggested that solar panels could be set up on the rooftops of "suitable domestic and industrial buildings, as well as on car parks".

The charity added this method would "easily deliver" more than 60% of the government's target for solar energy, which was published in June.

Jackie Copley, national CPRE campaigns leader, said these projects would result in "vast fields of solar panels" dominating the area.

A spokesperson for SSE Renewables said the feedback received following a recent local consultation was "helping inform the project's ongoing design" ahead of the expected publication of a preliminary environmental impact report next spring.

They said: "This report will provide a detailed assessment of our project proposals covering a range of important topics including visual impact, landscape, land use, local heritage, and biodiversity, and we will make this report available to the public for review once it's published."

A spokesperson for the South Brooks project said there was a commitment to "designing South Brooks in a way which respects this unique environment".

They said: "To do this, we are engaging with developers of other projects and experts such as local wildlife groups, the RSPB and Natural England, as well as carrying out a number of surveys to enhance our understanding of the local area."

A spokesperson for Low Carbon said: "South Kent Energy Park has the potential to play a crucial role in supporting the UK's decarbonisation targets, powering over 140,000 homes with clean, secure energy each year.

"Should consent be granted, we are committed to restoring the site after 40 operational years."