More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Plans have been unveiled for a huge solar farm which would stretch across swathes of countryside.
Evolution Power says its Stonestreet Green Solar project, which would cover about 400 acres of land near Ashford, could "act as a buffer to future housing development" in the area.
The solar array would consist of photovoltaic panels and battery storage - and would cover an area close to Aldington roughly the size of around 250 football pitches.
Power would be fed into the national network via a connection at the nearby Sellindge electrical substation.
The firm behind the plans says it could generate enough renewable energy to power about 48,000 homes, saving roughly 37,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
Giles Frampton, director of Evolution Power, said: "We are now all aware of the climate emergency and the government recently announced a commitment to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035.
"To reach these ambitious targets the country has to develop much more renewable capacity, which will also provide secure domestic electricity supply and reduce ever-rising bills.
"The site at Stonestreet Green has been carefully selected for this project. It has access to a nearby grid connection and is near to large local energy users, the site is predominantly low-quality land, which can continue to be grazed, it has high solar irradiation given its south east location and has good access to the M20 and A20.
"The battery storage means that the project could provide electricity when it is most needed, not just during daylight hours.
'Stonestreet Green will act as a buffer to future housing development...'
"The topography of the site and extensive existing hedgerows will help to minimise the visual impact of the project. In addition, Stonestreet Green will act as a buffer to future housing development, protecting the integrity of the village of Aldington for the next 40 years."
Plans for a similar solar farm covering more than 250 acres of rural land near to the M20 were revealed in the summer.
EDF Renewables' proposal - earmarked for fields between Smeeth, Aldington and Sellindge - would produce enough electricity to power 17,000 homes a year.
A second public consultation into the plans for the project, formally known as the East Stour Solar Farm, is taking place now and people have until November 29 to have their say.
The firm says that following the first round of feedback it has amended its plans to set the solar panels back from neighbouring properties and incorporate areas for new wildlife habitats within the scheme boundary.
Another plan to build a 114-acre solar farm across apple orchards in countryside between Ashford and Canterbury was unveiled in September.
Green Switch Capital wants to install thousands of panels on land north of Chilham and Old Wives Lees, as well as build a 2.4-metre security fence to protect the sprawling site.
