Celebrate! Inspector dismisses developer’s solar-farm appeal

It’s a grey and dank Monday morning as we write this, so what better time to share some good news and lift the gloom?

A planning inspector has dismissed a developer’s appeal against Ashford Borough Council’s refusal of planning permission for the proposed North Court Solar Farm near Chilham.

Green Switch Capital’s scheme would have covered 114 acres of apple orchards north-east of Old Wives Lees next to the Kent Downs National Landscape, but in April last year the council’s planning committee refused the application.

And now the inspector has agreed with that decision, citing impact on the National Landscape and ecology and heritage concerns, in dismissing Green Switch Capital’s appeal.

The scheme was targeted for a wholly inappropriate location and CPRE Kent objected to it, while a strong campaign was launched, fought primarily by Save Old Wives Lees from Industrial Solar (SOWLIS).

Penny Rickards, of SOWLIS, said: “This is great news for the village and surrounding area and ensures that the Kent Downs National Landscape that we all enjoy will be preserved for future generations.”

• To read more about this application, click here