By Peter Bird for The Looker Newspaper Local Democracy reporter
Marsh residents are rallying in outrage over plans to blanket invaluable farmland with sprawling solar arrays. As we went to press, news emerged that hundreds of acres around Old Romney could soon be swallowed up by the South East’s largest solar farm. The ambitious 50MW project, proposed by Canterbury-based Convert Energy, promises to generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes—20% of Kent’s households. Yet, the cost may be too high, as many local voices argue that this development will sacrifice fertile agricultural land for an industrial-scale solar farm.
David Wimble, Reform District Councillor, expressed his frustrations over the proposal, calling it “a misuse of valuable farmland.” “This was one of my biggest fears,” he said, referencing Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s push for green energy solutions on Romney Marsh. “Solar is fine as a backup, but when the sun doesn’t shine, we’ll be plunged into darkness,” Wimble argued, emphasising his stance that nuclear power at Dungeness is a more viable, long-term solution for the area.
However, Wimble faces opposition, with Green Party, Labour, and Liberal Democrat members openly supporting the solar project. New Romney Independent Councillor Paul Thomas has cautiously voiced support, indicating he would like more details on how the land would be used. “If sheep grazing can continue on this land, it may not be a complete loss,” he suggested, hinting at a compromise for the agricultural community.
Wimble is quick to rebut this claim. “It’s one of the great fallacies of solar farms,” he said. “Old Romney already has one large solar farm that was supposed to allow grazing, but the reality is entirely impractical.” With environmental concerns over battery storage adding to his list of objections, Wimble’s stance reflects a broader frustration with the prioritisation of solar farms over agricultural productivity.
The national government’s involvement only complicates matters. With Energy Secretary Ed Miliband reportedly endorsing solar expansion, the project may bypass local council scrutiny, requiring a government-level development consent order instead. This effectively strips local communities of their ability to reject projects over 50MW, a move that some see as a heavy-handed disregard for local interests.
David Browne, spokesperson for Convert Energy, defended the proposal, suggesting that Kent’s history with solar energy—despite local opposition to similar projects like Cleve Hill—has proven viable. “The positioning makes a lot of sense. The existing infrastructure should handle the park’s output,” he explained. Convert Energy is hosting consultations throughout November and December, inviting the community to voice concerns and ask questions.
While the plans remain un-submitted, the scale is daunting. If approved, the site could span the equivalent of 840 football fields, connecting to the National Grid via a new substation in Dungeness. With potential approval timelines still unclear, the Marsh community is left to ponder: should our farmland remain dedicated to agriculture, or will solar panels soon define our landscape?
Let us know your thoughts. Should farmland stay for farming, or are solar farms the future? Send your views to info@thelooker.co.uk.