Controversial plans to create a large solar farm, which could power around 12,000 homes, in the countryside are to be given a second chance.

Statkraft first submitted its proposals for the Collier Street site, near Marden, in March last year.

Their bid was rejected by Maidstone council in October 2022 on multiple grounds.

But now the company has appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, and the matter will be looked at again during a public inquiry in Maidstone Town Hall in January.

Planning inspector Philip Major will decide the issue.

The development site, which Statkraft is calling Sheepwash Solar Farm, lies 900m west of Marden, but falls within the parish of Collier Street.

It would cover 74.5 hectares – 184 acres – of farmland at Eckley Farm, just north of Little Cheveney Farm.

The applicant says the site would generate up to 49.9 megawatt of renewable energy which could be exported to the National Grid, which is roughly enough to power 12,500 homes.

But the council felt the array of solar panels, each three metres high, would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, and also said the site was classed as “best and most versatile agricultural land” which should be retained for food production.

The council was also concerned the impact it would have on nearby listed buildings and fear it would weaken biodiversity by harming a landscape enjoyed by badgers and skylarks.

There are 33 Grade-ll listed buildings within 1km of the site.

The local authority said the applicants had not carried out a sufficient noise assessment study to determine whether there would be any adverse effect on the neighbours.

But the company said the site would not be lost to agriculture altogether, as sheep could still graze beneath the panels.

In addition, they sought only temporary permission for 37 years, after which the solar park would be dismantled and the land returned to agriculture.

Marden ward councillor Claudine Russell (Con) has written to the appeal inspector saying the appeal should not be allowed, as Statkraft had made substantial changes since the first attempt.

They included changes to the fencing, to the number of solar panels, to the landscape mitigation, and to the location of the high-voltage compound.

She said: “Maidstone Borough Council should not be forced to address such scheme changes through an expensive inquiry process. They should instead be presented within a new application.”

The proposal had been strongly opposed by local residents who formed a group called No To Marden Solar Farm.

Neighbours remain unconvinced by the adjusted proposals.

David and Barbara Baldwin said the basic reason for refusal was unchanged – the land remained the most versatile agricultural land.

You can view the original application and the amended details on the council’s website here.

Look for application number 22/501335.

The inquiry will start on Tuesday, January 16, at 10am and is expected to last for up to six days.

The public can attend and may be allowed to speak at the discretion of the inspector.

Further information from the appeal clerk, John Legg, on 0303 444 5244.