Solar Farm Response Part 1 - 24/03422

The Parish Council strongly objects to this application on the following grounds. The proposal would cause substantial harm to the Green Belt, agricultural land, the landscape, ecology, and local amenity, with no overriding benefits that justify its approval.

1. Green Belt Protection
The proposed development is within the Green Belt and conflicts with both national and local planning policy. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that inappropriate development in the Green Belt should not be approved except in very special circumstances. The applicant has failed to demonstrate such circumstances. The land in question is high-performing Green Belt, which contributes to maintaining the openness of the countryside. The applicant’s assessment underplays this designation by asserting that the area is Grey Belt land. This is not the case as the land shows significant biodiversity (including Ancient Woodland), is widely used for public enjoyment and is not previously developed land. We urge the planning authority to give full weight to Green Belt protection.

2. Loss of Agricultural Land
The application undervalues the agricultural productivity of the site. Local knowledge, including information from a landowner, confirms that the land is of significant agricultural value. The NPPF emphasises the importance of safeguarding the best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 1-3a). The amount of soil disturbance and concrete necessary for the elevated panels ensures that the land cannot be returned to productive agriculture at the end of the proposed operational lifetime. Given the national need for food security, the permanent loss of productive farmland for solar infrastructure is unjustified.

3. Landscape and Visual Impact
The topography of the site necessitates an elevated positioning of solar panels, increasing their visibility in the landscape. This will lead to significant adverse effects on the character and appearance of the area, which is designated Green Belt land. The proposed mitigation through planting will not be sufficient to screen the development effectively. In addition, the fencing off of the infrastructure and amount of video surveillance requested by Kent Police will reinforce the industrial appearance of the development.

4. Ecological Concerns and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Issues.

The Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) do not comply with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) concerning irreplaceable habitats. The applicant has failed to correctly classify ancient woodland (~16.416ha) as irreplaceable and plans to remove 0.02ha of ancient woodland, which is unacceptable under biodiversity policies. The assessments contain inaccuracies, and the methodology used is questionable, particularly regarding habitat classification and biodiversity net gain calculations.

The impact on local flora and fauna, including ancient woodland ecosystems, has not been adequately considered. Neither has the effect of the deep trenches and defensive hedging required by Kent Police. The presence of ancient woodland nearby means that shading from trees will also reduce the efficiency of the panels whilst altering the local ecosystem.