Protesters are building up opposition to a planned solar farm estimated to take the space of 102 football pitches.

Villagers have now set up a website to combat the proposed development, which would go on 180.75 acres (73.15 hectares) of farming fields.

The scheme, at Goshall Valley, East Street, Ash, is proposed to be in place for up to 40 years.

An overground frame for solar panels would be 14.ft 9in ( 4.49 metres) by 8ft 2in (2.5 metres).

Developers say the site would not create 'significant effects' to the area, such as impacting on noise or pollution and say it would 'contribute to reducing climate change impacts'.

But Alexander Ridings, who lives in Cooper Street, just yards from the site, said: "We have built overwhelming community support for miles around against the scheme.

"We are poised to launch our campaign, as timing is key, whilst we wait for the applicants to put in a full planning application."

"We are pro-renewable energy but this should be elsewhere..."

The new website, continually being developed, is called Save Ash Level, and is by a protest group called Ash Solar Farm Residents Group.

It says: "A campaign is being formed by residents concerned about the magnitude of this application and the damage it will cause in this unsuitable countryside location.

"We are pro-renewable energy but believe that this scheme should be placed on an alternative site, for instance on local brownfield sites."

Ash Level is a wildlife site and one concern protesters have is about the development's effects on the area's plants and animals.

They also fear it could cause traffic access problems with new vehicle movements from the development. They add that the solar farm would be next to Richborough Roman Fort, so would further spoil the look of the area.

The 49 megawatt solar farm, less than a mile from Sandwich, is being proposed by Statkraft UK Ltd , a central London company generating renewable energy through wind, water and sun.

A report to Dover District Council by consultants Stantac (formerly Barton Willmore) said: "The proposed development is not considered likely to result in significant effects in terms of noise impacts, air quality emissions, or access to open space / recreation facilities.

"The proposed solar farm will contribute to reducing climate change impacts through the generation of renewable electricity."

It added the scale and massing of the development will not cause changes to daylight or sunlight availability or cause overshadowing on nearby homes.

It also says the development would involve limited traffic movements during construction and very low during the life of the solar farm.

Statkraft has yet to put in a planning application but it has given details for DDC's planning portal to gauge local opinion.

Kent Wildlife Trust has already confirmed it is against the scheme as it is within Ash Level and a second wildlife site, South Richborough Pasture.

These areas have animals such as hen harriers, lapwings golden plovers, kingfishers, little egrets, barn owls, voles and brown hares.

Statkraft project director Charlotte Healey said: “Our plans for a solar farm near Sandwich are at a very early stage, but we believe that the site is well-suited to deliver renewable energy and boost biodiversity.

"We have previously submitted a scoping request for an environmental impact assessment to Dover District Council, which identifies topics we would need to address through a future planning application.

"We will consult to get feedback on our emerging plans..."

“We will consult fully with local communities and the parish council to get feedback on our emerging plans, so that our final submitted plans to the council will reflect local priorities wherever possible.

“As part of the development of the site, we plan to improve local biodiversity within the project area. This could include creating new habitats for birds, amphibians or pond life, tree planting, restoration and planting of hedgerows or other similar measures. We welcome suggestions from the community for what they would like to see.”

Plans were unveiled for another solar farm in Dover district, near East Langon and Guston, in March.

Chalkpit Solar Farm, on 62 acres (25 hectares) of land, would generate approximately 24 MW of green energy – enough to power one in eight of the homes in the district.

This scheme is by Greentech, the German-based renewable energy company and a public exhibition detailing the proposal was held in March.