Plans for a solar park on a pig farm have been revealed.

Kent County Council (KCC) has unveiled £3.5million plans to build Kings Hill Solar Park, near the Kent Scientific Services building in Abbey Wood Road, West Malling.

If approved, there will be an array of PV solar panels installed at ground level on land at Quarryman’s Road.

This would generate electricity as it is connected to the county's main grid.

Environment experts say this will offset more than 633 tonnes of carbon per year, as KCC seeks to meet its carbon neutrality targets this decade.

A KCC report published online says: "This project makes a significant contribution to the reduction of the decarbonisation of KCC energy supplies and in meeting its carbon neutrality 2030 target."

The solar park will include a temporary structure built on agriculture land, with pledges to improve biodiversity in the area.

KCC environment chiefs say the multi-million pound scheme will contain a meadow flower bank along the north edge of the site and replacement of trees, removed to provide space for the solar array.

Wildlife will be protected by providing badger homes, bird boxes and bat boxes.

The project also aims to provide "security" of energy supply for KCC, whose estate includes public services, schools, offices and roads across 12 districts, covering a population of around 1.5million people.

Work on the site could start as early as January, subject to approval.

KCC's environment cabinet member, Cllr Susan Carey (Con), is due to make a key decision soon, but no exact date has been revealed.

A KCC spokesman added: “The cabinet member for environment has been asked to take a key decision outside of the cabinet committee process.

“The size of the grant and its complex and time-sensitive nature mean, to avoid losing the opportunity of utilising this funding, the decision will be taken after December 6, but before the committee next meets.

“The decision will be discussed retrospectively at the environment and transport cabinet committee at a later date.”

The solar park is one of several renewable energy sites that are being built in the county, including the UK's biggest solar farm of 900 acres in Graveney, between Faversham and Whitstable.