Solar farm developers seek views on major project

Solar farm developers have formally notified planning authorities that they will seek development consent for a major project in Kent.

EDF and PS Renewables launched a public engagement process on Thursday for South Brooks Solar Farm, which they propose to build across five sites in Romney Marsh.

The developers wrote to the Planning Inspectorate to say they planned to apply for consent, which is necessary for projects larger than 50MW, in early 2027.

The solar and battery scheme, along with other Romney Marsh solar projects, has attracted opposition from local residents.

Developers previously asked for the public's views on the proposal, which they say could power more than 140,000 homes annually and would be in place for 60 years.

They said they had reduced the developed area by 20% and increased the area set aside for ecology and landscaping following feedback.

Submissions can be made online or at in-person events, held in June and July.

EDF UK's director of solar, storage and private wire, Matthew Boulton, said the exercises were "a vital part of our design process, and we will continue to work with the local community to refine the plans".

Matt Hazell, director of PS Renewables, said: "By making best use of available grid capacity in the area, the South Brooks project would deliver substantial benefits for the environment and the local area."

But Amanda Farrant, co-director of Hands Off Our Marsh, said people were "being offered a say on how to soften the damage, not whether the damage should happen".

"We are asking for a real say in whether this should happen here at all and whether this marsh land we call home is even appropriate for such vast electrical energy infrastructure," she said.

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