More than 3,000 solar panels are to be installed at Bluewater to help power the complex.

Planning permission has been granted by Dartford council for the huge installation of panels on flat roofs at the shopping centre in Greenhithe.

The 3,200 panels will generate about 1,158,400 kilowatt hours of renewable energy a year – enough to power about 308 households or 512 electric cars for a year.

According to planning documents, this will save about 268 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, the same as planting 12,749 trees.

The design and access statement submitted to council officers in December last year said: "The application seeks approval for the installation of solar panels across large areas of the roofs of the shopping centre.

"The panels are spread across most flat roof areas and are orientated to face south towards Watling Street or east/west towards St James Lane and the main Bluewater access road."

It added: "They will not result in glint/glare issues and will not result in noise/disturbance."

The statement said the sustainable development would make a "significant contribution towards renewable energy targets".

It also said it would be in accordance with national policy to support the country's move to a low-carbon economy with any excess generated supplied to the Local Electricity Distribution Network.

It added: "The core strategy acknowledges that climate change is a global challenge but one which is of particular relevance locally.

"The proposed development would help support this objective."

Dartford has previously been rated among the worst places in the country for air quality, with pollution said to be at levels equivalent to smoking 144 cigarettes a year.

An air quality survey which looked at each individual square kilometre of the country found one part of the town – alongside the A282 Dartford Tunnel approach road to the north of Bean, close to Bluewater – had some of the worst levels of pollution in the UK.

The survey found 23 micrograms of pollutants per cubic metre of air, which is more than double the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended guideline of just 10.

It has even been reported to be worse than Paris, Madrid and Rome.

Despite the improvements made in air quality over the years, air pollution is still recognised as a risk to health.

Exposure to it has health effects at every stage of life, from before birth into old age. The damage is sometimes gradual, and may not be apparent for many years.

The council has started to implement numerous measures as part of its 2022 Air Quality Action Plan and its statutory duties required by the Local Air Quality Management framework.

But Bluewater's plans to install the solar panels is said to "help meet targets for reductions in carbon emissions".

A spokesman added: "As part of our journey towards a low carbon future, we are always exploring new ways to make Bluewater more sustainable.

"We are considering a range of options when it comes to greening our energy use and look forward to updating everyone on our plans soon."

Plans were approved by council officers earlier this month subject to planning conditions. Their report read: "I am conscious of the benefit that these panels bring with reduced carbon emissions."

Construction is expected to take five months although it has not yet been confirmed when the shopping centre plans to start the installation.

Solar panels have an operational life of around 25 years and after this they will either have to be removed or updated.