A huge solar farm covering more than 250 acres of rural land could be built next to the M20, new plans have revealed.

EDF Renewables' proposal – which is earmarked for fields near Ashford between Smeeth, Aldington and Sellindge – would produce enough electricity to power 17,000 homes a year.

If approved, the so-called East Stour Solar Farm would be constructed over nine months and generate up to 49.9 megawatts every year when completed.

The intended site is 252 acres in size, roughly the same as 191 football pitches, but developers note this would include areas of planting and biodiversity improvements.

In fact, EDF Renewables claims only 30% of the site would be covered by the photovoltaic panels.

The site would be surrounded by a two-metre-high deer fence, as well as CCTV to protect the panels.

While the vast majority of the construction project would simply require pushing in supports, some trenches may also be dug to install cables and solar stations.

In an effort to appease nearby residents, EDF has stated there would be no construction traffic through Aldington itself and the site would be monitored remotely when running with "minimal" activity on-site.

Furthermore, the firm would put in place a community fund for the 40-year lifetime of the project.

"This would be a maximum of £20,000 annually - the total fund amount would depend on the final size of the project should it gain planning permission," it said.

No lighting will be installed as part of the scheme, which will aid Ashford Borough Council (ABC)'s goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.

The company states in its public consultation that the solar farm would result in better biodiversity on the site, and that "resting the soil from intensive farming practices for the lifetime of the scheme would also help improve its quality".

The site in question is seen as ideal by the firm as it is adjacent to the Sellindge substation, where power created can be connected to the National Grid.

After the consultation ends on Monday, August 9, comments will be considered and more details released in the autumn.

A planning application is yet to be submitted to ABC.

James Lyons from EDF Renewables UK said: “We’re proposing East Stour Solar Farm to help the UK accelerate to net zero by delivering new sources of low carbon, renewable energy generation.

“We have ambitious plans to build five times as much renewable energy as we already manage and have a strong pipeline of projects in the UK, such as this one.

“We are looking forward to presenting our early design proposals to local people and hearing their feedback. We will be conducting a further round of public consultation later this year.”

EDF Renewables UK, through its battery storage team Pivot Power, is also considering land between the proposed East Stour Solar Farm and Sellindge substation for a battery energy storage system.

Bosses say this is likely to be as a separate planning application.

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In 2019, ABC agreed to work on plans for a 50-acre solar farm Shadoxhurst.

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