Proposals to erect a large solar panel farm capable of powering thousands of homes have been tabled but critics say “covering the countryside is not the only option”.

Renewable energy company Evolution Power is consulting on its latest plans to build the 235-acre project on agricultural land near New Ash Green village.

It proposes to develop a solar and battery storage project, known as New Ash Green Solar, to produce enough renewable energy to power around 17,200 homes and help “tackle the climate emergency”.

The main site is planned to sit on around 235 acres of land east of village with a further five-acre site to the west which will connect to the national grid.

The scheme, which would be in operation for 40 years, also includes an underground cable which will connect the two sites.

Company director Conor McNally said: “To combat the effects of climate change and tackle the climate emergency, the UK has to develop much more renewable capacity.

“New Ash Green Solar would make a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable energy generating capacity.

“We look forward to presenting our plans to the local community and we encourage them to submit feedback, which will help to inform the development of our proposals.”

Concerns have already been raised by some over the location of the proposed scheme and the potential loss of farmland.

However, according to the project’s website, the development of solar farms does not replace the agricultural use of the land.

It adds: “The reduction in intensive farming on the site will encourage new flora and fauna to flourish, whilst the land can be grazed by sheep and therefore remain in agricultural use.

“The land involved is minimal in the context of local and national food production and allows clean energy to be generated at greater scale and efficiency than rooftop alternatives.

“Solar farms also provide valuable long-term secured income for farmers, to support the industry to continue food production on other parts of their land.”

Ward councillor for Ash and New Ash Green, Laura Manston, said although the country needs to reduce its use of fossil fuels, there are other options than covering the countryside with solar panels.

Despite this, the Green Party representative added these plans would be considered on their own merits.

She said: “We are living through a climate emergency and it is essential that we take urgent action to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

“Solar energy is a fantastic way to reduce our dependency on oil and gas but covering our beautiful countryside with solar farms is not the only option available to us.

“Retrofitting large buildings such as car parks, leisure centres, shopping centres and offices with solar panels is one option. Other alternatives include building to net zero standards and mandating the installation of solar panels on new homes.

“One of the major issues we face is that the creation of local community energy is being blocked by unfair legislation and hugely disproportionate costs.

“Power For People is working to remove these barriers to enable small-scale renewable energy that communities can sell to local people in a way that is sensitive to the local area and boosts local economies.

“As for this consultation, we will be attending the consultation, listening to the views of local people and evaluating this planning application on its own merit.”

Evolution Power is holding a public consultation before submitting a planning application to Sevenoaks council for New Ash Green Solar later this year, with a decision due in early 2025.

If approved, preliminary construction work would begin in the second half of 2025 and the site operational during 2026.

The public consultation is being held on Tuesday, September 10, at the New Ash Green Village Association Meeting Room, DA3 8HH, from 3pm to 7pm.

The building of solar panel farms in Kent has proved to be a controversial topic with residents.

Read More: Why are there so many solar farms in Kent?

In July, Sevenoaks council refused plans to build one of the largest solar farms in the county on farmland between Horton Kirby and Fawkham after more than 120 objections were lodged.

Renewable energy firm RES said it was “disappointed” its scheme to put thousands of panels on the fields near the M20 was not considered acceptable.

The project, known as Chimmens Solar Farm, would have covered about 245 acres and generated up to 49.9MW of clean, low-cost, renewable electricity.

However, a different scheme by London-based Evolution Power has taken a major step forward and passed its first round of scrutiny.

It plans to build a 400-acre solar farm on land in Aldington, near Ashford, making it 10 times bigger than the village.