Government approves 474-acre solar farm development

Evolution Power said the site has high sunlight levels

Solar farm developers have received government approval to build on a 474-acre (192 hectare) site in Kent.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero granted development consent for the Stonestreet Green Solar project near Ashford on Thursday.

Developer Evolution Power said the solar panel and battery storage scheme would "make a significant contribution" to the UK's clean energy targets.

Kent Wildlife Trust, Weald of Kent MP Katie Lam and local parish councils were among those to raise concerns about the scheme's impact on the rural landscape and biodiversity.

The site, north of Aldington, will be able to power up to 42,000 homes once complete, according to Evolution Power.

The firm said the site's biodiversity would be "greatly enhanced" and soil condition improved during Stonestreet Green Solar's lifespan.

It cited a nearby grid connection and high sunlight levels in the area among reasons the site was chosen.

The company's director Conor McNally said it would "look forward to progressing the project in due course" following the consent order.

Evolution Power claimed in its application that construction would take one year and create the equivalent of 132 jobs.

The government is responsible for permitting the development, rather than Ashford Borough Council, as it will have a generating capacity greater than 50 megawatts.

The Planning Inspectorate said it received the application in June 2024.

"Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination," the agency said.

Over 300 representations were received.

The Planning Inspectorate said it "listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered" before it recommended consent was granted.