Appeal lodged for Chimmens Solar Farm plans for land between Horton Kirby and Fawkham near M20

The government will decide on plans to build one of the largest solar farms in Kent.Renewable energy firm RES has confirmed it is appealing Sevenoaks council’s decision to refuse its scheme for thousands of panels on farmland between Horton Kirby and Fawkham.The potential site for Chimmens Solar FarmIts bid, which was submitted to the local authority in 2023, looked to construct and operate a solar farm with storage units, CCTV and other supporting infrastructure.The project, known as Chimmens Solar Farm, would have covered around 245 acres and generated up to 49.9MW of clean, low-cost, renewable electricity - enough to power 22,500 homes.However, planning officers decided to reject the proposals for the fields at Speedgate Farm, between Mussenden Lane and the M20, in July 2024.Speaking at the time, development project manager at RES, Pauric McCloskey, said he was “disappointed” by the refusal, especially as it had not been considered at a planning committee.The Hertfordshire-based firm has now confirmed it has appealed the decision, meaning the case will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate.A spokesperson said: ”RES consider the original design of the scheme fitted sensitively into the existing landscape whilst maximising the low-carbon, low-cost electricity generation.Development project manager, Pauric McCloskey. Picture: RES“We have, however, considered feedback and professional advice, and following the refusal of the application, minor amendments have been made to the design of the proposal.”It has removed all solar infrastructure from one of the fields, added a timber post and rail fence on either side of the public path on the same site and added an extra skylark plot to host two nesting pairs.To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.The appeal was discussed at a Sevenoaks council meeting last week (April 8); however, as it was a procedural matter, the public was excluded.More information on the planning appeal is expected to be uploaded to the Planning Inspectorate website soon.Planning officers originally refused the plans as they said it would be an inappropriate development of the Green Belt and would mean the best and most versatile agricultural land would be lost.The government will now decide on the plans. Photo: RESIn their submitted documentation, RES said the solar farm, which would have had more than 100,000 panels, would only be in operation for 40 years, so it would not cause a “permanent loss” of the land.The statement added that its agricultural use will be kept in the long term, as the development is temporary and reversible.More than 120 objections to the scheme were submitted at the time, and a petition with around 700 signatures was also sent to the local authority.Those against the plans claimed it would impact badgers and other wildlife, and the nearby ancient woodland and was an inappropriate development of the green belt.Despite this, three letters of support were received praising the scheme for its provision of clean energy and the need to transition to renewable electricity.