Villagers object to Evolution Power’s plans for New Ash Green solar farm as application submitted to Sevenoaks council

Villagers fighting to stop one of the UK’s biggest solar farms being built say it will “destroy” and “industrialise” the countryside.

Renewable energy company Evolution Power has submitted plans for the 235-acre project on farmland between Ridley and New Ash Green.

It has asked Sevenoaks council for permission to put up solar panels and a battery energy storage system (BESS), cable route and grid connection.

Evolution Power says the scheme, known as New Ash Green Solar, would produce enough electricity to power around 17,200 homes and save 11,500 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

It argues there is a “significant and demonstrable need to provide more renewable energy infrastructure” within Sevenoaks borough to meet the county’s net-zero commitments and future energy demands.

Its planning, design and access statement adds: “Solar energy is the only realistic option to deliver significant quantities of new renewable electricity.

“If the council is serious about its commitment to tackling the climate emergency, action is required now, and greater renewable energy generation must be delivered as a priority.”

New Ash Green and Ridley residents say they are not against renewable energy but are fighting the proposals as they do not want to see the countryside turned into an “industrial” site.

Chairman of opposition group No New Ash Green Solar, Peter Tasker said: “We are not opposing green generated power, however, the land it is trying to put them on is wrong to produce the maximum power output.”

The 70-year-old said solar farms should be built on flat, south-facing land but the proposed site is undulating and often shaded by the neighbouring ancient woodland.

He added: “It is just the destruction and industrialisation of the green belt in this area. It should be a buffer between New Ash Green and the countryside.

“It should not be touched. That valley is unique and should be retained as green fields for agriculture and dairy use.

“Our view is that the solar panels would be best placed in an area which is unaffected by the green belt like the car park at Ebbsfleet Railway Station.”

However, Evolution Power argues there are no alternative sites and the borough is “severely constrained by restrictions to grid capacity”.

Director of the company, Conor McNally, explained: "The UK has a legal obligation to achieve net zero by 2050, which will require a tripling of solar generation from today’s levels by 2030.

“Whilst some of this will be possible on rooftops the majority will need to be delivered by ground-mounted projects.

“Due to a lack of investment in the electricity grid, there are a limited number of areas where projects can be developed so they can connect to the grid.”

The firm also claims the land is considered grey belt - meaning it is part of the green belt but is lower quality - and therefore is not an inappropriate development or harmful to the green belt.

Mr McNally added: “Any solar project in Sevenoaks will be located in the green belt. Assuming Sevenoaks accepts it has to contribute to the energy transition then this site is preferable to other areas.

“The site does not make a strong green belt contribution and is an area the government considers less important to protect.”

Following a pre-application consultation, the firm scrapped plans for panels on two fields and reduced the number in others, to provide an additional buffer for properties nearby.

However, many residents still fear the impact approving such a development would have on the countryside, including parents-of-three Caroline and Ben Hobbs.

Caroline, 37, said: “We all love the walks across the fields, especially since Covid. They are a huge part of our community which will be gone.

“They are taking something away that is so important to us and our community. There are lots of alternatives.

“We would all be happy to have it on the roof of the shopping centre or at Ebbsfleet Railway Station.”

If approved, the solar farm would be operational for 40 years with space for cattle grazing and afterwards the land would return to agricultural use.

However, neighbouring farmer Jeremy Scott said it was a “fantasy” to think the fields could be used for farming once the site is decommissioned.

He added: “The farmers are considering leasing or selling their land because it is a difficult life right now. But, what we are going to end up with is a real bottom line.

“These valleys are the only examples of these left, you cannot sacrifice them willy-nilly. To me, you cannot sacrifice them without a good reason.”

More than 2,100 residents have signed No New Ash Green Solar’s petition against the scheme and have also gained the support of Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat, whose constituency the application site is in.

He said: “I am supportive of the UK’s ambition for greener energy, but I have raised serious concerns about Evolution Power’s proposed solar farm.

“They have failed to answer key questions regarding the ethical manufacturing of the solar panels and the backup energy sources that are necessary to reliably power our community.”

Ridley resident Tracey Barnard also has reservations, claiming the manufacturing of solar panels is harmful to the environment.

The 61-year-old added: “The impact on wildlife, the countryside and the green belt, and the environmental and ethical costs of solar panel production are all being swept under the rug.

“It should not be on the green belt, and if they do decide it will go ahead, where does it stop? It will be something in 20 years we will look back on and think ‘That was crazy’.”

If approved, preliminary construction work would begin later this year and the site operational during 2026.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

A decision is expected on the plans by Monday, April 28.