Campaigners opposed to a scheme to build a solar energy farm across 75 hectares of countryside between Marden and Claygate are whooping with delight!

A planning application from Statkraft is due to be considered by Maidstone council's planning committee next Thursday. But planning officers who advise councillors on their decisions are recommending refusal.

One of the key reasons for their recommendation is the loss of high quality arable land - which would be taken out of use for at least 37 years.

They also said the scale of the proposals would cause "significant harm" to the landscape. The solar farm would cover an area of 184 acres - roughly the size of Marden village.

Statkraft had said its "Sheepwash Solar Farm" would generate enough electricity to power around 12,500 homes.

But officers said this gain would be offset by harm to nearby listed buildings, damage to nearby ancient woodland, the loss of habitat for badgers and skylarks, with also a potential detrimental impact on the ecology of the Lower Teise River, as the applicants would have to re-route a public footpath to run close to the riverbank.

The final decision will be taken by councillors at the Town Hall next Thursday.

Vickey Petrie from the No To Marden Solar Farm Group said: "We are naturally delighted. We welcome the report.

"But a representative from both Collier Street Parish Council and from Say No To Marden will still be at the council meeting to put forward our objections to councillors."

The application had been opposed by 70 residents, by the Weald of Kent Protection Society and by Collier Street Parish Council.

Planning application number 22/501335 refers.