{"id":"69c53a03948ce0defd0a44a5","title":"Solar Arrays In Kent","path":"publications/annual-reviews/2025/solar-arrays-in-kent","contentMarkdown":"# Solar Arrays in Kent\n\n**What's your view?**\n\n- Solar energy developments are necessary to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to tackle a climate emergency; **or**\n- Solar arrays are a blot on the landscape, spoiling the countryside in which we like to walk.\n\nNo matter which side of the argument, there can be no denying that we are seeing an increase in the number of proposed solar developments across the county. In its latest quarterly report, The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has named seventy-five ground mounted solar arrays in Kent that are either operational, under construction or have a current planning application being considered.\n\n![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/ef29e4c9-333f-45c3-b72e-10710ceaceea.jpeg)\n\nIn July, the facility at Cleve Hill near Faversham became the largest operational solar array in the country. Comprising some 500,000 panels and covering an area of 360 hectares (900 acres) it was surprising to hear the Managing Director of the developers describe this as 'unobtrusive'! He went on to add that a further 80 similar sized developments would have to be built to meet the Government's solar energy production target by 2030.\n\nIf all the current proposals were to be built, almost 8% of that 80 could be dominating the landscape of Romney Marsh. There are three potential Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) that would be as large, if not larger, than Cleve Hill:\n\n- **South Brooks** — would cover 1,094 hectares (3× the size of Cleve Hill)\n- **South Kent Energy** — would cover 600 hectares\n- **Shepway Energy Park** — at 406 hectares, still larger than Cleve Hill\n\n![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/698b04d3-8138-48f4-ae58-3b6c9b17c1da.jpeg)\n\n**Why should Ramblers be concerned?**\n\nFirstly, if all three were to go ahead there would be a significant cumulative impact on what is currently farmland, with extensive views across open countryside. Secondly, there is a network of public rights of way that cross each of these sites, thus the enjoyment of walkers and other users will be affected. Thirdly, one of the fields included in the Shepway Energy Park would share a boundary with the Kent Downs National Landscape (formerly known as AONB).\n\nMeanwhile, over the summer we learnt that the 192 hectare development at Stonestreet Green (Aldington) had been approved by the Secretary of State. During the public inquiry strong representations were made, including from Ramblers, to the effect that none of the sixteen Public Rights of Way would remain unaltered.","contentHtml":"<h1>Solar Arrays in Kent</h1>\n<p><strong>What&#39;s your view?</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Solar energy developments are necessary to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to tackle a climate emergency; <strong>or</strong></li>\n<li>Solar arrays are a blot on the landscape, spoiling the countryside in which we like to walk.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>No matter which side of the argument, there can be no denying that we are seeing an increase in the number of proposed solar developments across the county. In its latest quarterly report, The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has named seventy-five ground mounted solar arrays in Kent that are either operational, under construction or have a current planning application being considered.</p>\n<p><img src=\"https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/ef29e4c9-333f-45c3-b72e-10710ceaceea.jpeg\" alt=\"\"></p>\n<p>In July, the facility at Cleve Hill near Faversham became the largest operational solar array in the country. Comprising some 500,000 panels and covering an area of 360 hectares (900 acres) it was surprising to hear the Managing Director of the developers describe this as &#39;unobtrusive&#39;! He went on to add that a further 80 similar sized developments would have to be built to meet the Government&#39;s solar energy production target by 2030.</p>\n<p>If all the current proposals were to be built, almost 8% of that 80 could be dominating the landscape of Romney Marsh. There are three potential Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) that would be as large, if not larger, than Cleve Hill:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>South Brooks</strong> — would cover 1,094 hectares (3× the size of Cleve Hill)</li>\n<li><strong>South Kent Energy</strong> — would cover 600 hectares</li>\n<li><strong>Shepway Energy Park</strong> — at 406 hectares, still larger than Cleve Hill</li>\n</ul>\n<p><img src=\"https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/698b04d3-8138-48f4-ae58-3b6c9b17c1da.jpeg\" alt=\"\"></p>\n<p><strong>Why should Ramblers be concerned?</strong></p>\n<p>Firstly, if all three were to go ahead there would be a significant cumulative impact on what is currently farmland, with extensive views across open countryside. Secondly, there is a network of public rights of way that cross each of these sites, thus the enjoyment of walkers and other users will be affected. Thirdly, one of the fields included in the Shepway Energy Park would share a boundary with the Kent Downs National Landscape (formerly known as AONB).</p>\n<p>Meanwhile, over the summer we learnt that the 192 hectare development at Stonestreet Green (Aldington) had been approved by the Secretary of State. During the public inquiry strong representations were made, including from Ramblers, to the effect that none of the sixteen Public Rights of Way would remain unaltered.</p>\n"}