A proposal to power nearly 40% of a huge new garden town set for Kent from a solar farm is being explored.

Developers behind the Otterpool Park scheme are being urged to consider setting up the farm on council-owned land in Lympne, which is south-west of the proposed new settlement.

In total, 10,000 homes are planned for the ambitious housing project, which would also include new schools, shops, roads and open green spaces.

It is destined for land at and around the former Folkestone racecourse, which was purchased by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) in 2020 for £25m.

The council has also bought surrounding plots of land too, all to be used as part of the proposed garden town.

Last night, members of FHDC’s cabinet voted unanimously to explore the possibilities for a new solar farm, and will urge owners Otterpool Park LLP to work with the authority to present a detailed business plan for consideration.

Deputy leader of the council Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem), told the cabinet: “I think it’s important that we’re clear at this stage that we’re not saying yes or no but that we’re interested in seeing what sort of size it would sit in, what sort of return it would make financially compared to the current use of the site.

“It sounds like a really valuable thing for pursuing and it’s important that we’re looking creatively at land which we own and making sure that we are doing the best thing financially and environmentally and in terms of energy stability at this stage.

He added "this is not something which Putin can turn off" but power that can be used every day the sun is out.

Leader of FHDC, Cllr Jim Martin (Green) reiterated to members that the decision isn’t final, and “a detailed business case will be brought back to us”.

After the meeting Cllr Martin added: “We are determined to make Otterpool Park an exemplar in sustainable development so investigating this solar park option fits perfectly with that ambition.

“I look forward to receiving the findings once the work has been completed.”

Otterpool Park was first proposed in 2012, but gained planning permission in April this year for 8,500 of the homes.

The scheme is being led by FHDC-owned company, Otterpool Park LLP.

Bosses say the scheme will in effect create a 'second town’ for the Folkestone district, with it being second in scale between the main settlement of Folkestone and neighbouring Hythe.