Causing Concern

The huge scheme is already raising concerns among environmental groups.

Director of the Kent branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, Hilary Newport said: “Our initial concerns focus on the sheer scale of this proposal.

“At 890 acres, it’s about the size of Central Park in New York.

“We are of course supportive of clean renewable energy, but such schemes should be incorporated into the built environment - including every new home having solar panels - rather than taking up so much agricultural land in such a sensitive landscape and in an area that is so important for people and wildlife.”

Kent Wildlife Trust is concerned the development could impact on the neighbouring South Swale Nature Reserve, which it manages.

Greg Hitchcock, Thames Gateway officer for the Trust, added: “While we are not opposed to solar farms, and indeed are supportive of initiatives to reduce human reliance on fossil fuel energy generation, we are concerned about the potential impacts from this proposal on the internationally important habitats and wildlife in this area.

“The design proposals and impact assessments are at an early stage and we will be scrutinising these as they progress, and we will seek to influence any decisions made to get the best possible outcome for wildlife.

“This a very important area for wildlife.”

The site of the proposed Cleve Hill Solar Park