Farmland near Sandwich could be home to a solar panel project if planning permission is given.

Vogt Solar Ltd has submitted an application to Dover District Council for a 5MW solar farm on land north of Marshborough and west of the A256 Sandwich bypass.

The 9.7 hectare farm could power around 1,500 homes in the UK.

An exhibition was held at the Guildhall last month and feedback has shown that respondents support the venture or have no concerns.

James Stone, of Vogt Solar, said: “The exhibition was really useful in terms of discussing the new plans with local residents and we’re really pleased that this proposal was seen to directly address the concerns raised about the larger scheme.

“Now the site is further from properties and smaller in size, the visibility of it will be much reduced. This is also helped by the mature hedgerows on the site boundaries, which we will infill with more planting, alongside further new planting.”

A previous planning application was refused due to its large size and loss of agricultural land. The developers did lodge an appeal, but this was dismissed.

The plan is now half the size and moved further away from nearby houses. The nearest homes are at Great Poulders Farm, 200 metres from the site.

Around 500 people were invited to the exhibition but only 40 attended.

Feedback showed 10 out of 17 people support the proposal, with five undecided and two against.

Eight out of 13 of people who were aware of the previous proposal said they thought the new smaller proposal was preferable.

As part of the plans, a community benefit fund will be set up offering support to local projects or initiatives.

Mr Stone said: “We think it’s important that the local community sees tangible benefits from the solar farm. We are keen to hear from any groups or projects needing support.”

It would take around 12 weeks to build, with access to the site via an existing track off the A257 to the north of the site.

The land beneath the panels will be turned into a meadow where sheep can graze and after 25 years it will go back to agricultural uses.

A decision is expected from Dover District Council later this year.