Proposals for a major solar park in Tonbridge, which would generate enough electricity to power thousands of homes in the area, are set to be given the go-ahead today despite concerns about harm to green belt land.
The scheme is for a 63-acre park Off Sherenden Road, Tudeley, Tonbridge. The development is expected to have a maximum installed capacity of 14.3 megawatts, enough to power approximately 4,500 homes.
The park, which would be built on green belt land, would consist of nearly 65,000 panels and would generate electricity for a period of 25 years.
Planning officers described the scheme as "sustainable" and said the harm that it would cause would not be permanent.
The application has been recommended for approval subject to the completion of a legal agreement. It will be determined by Tonbridge & Malling's planning committee today (28 October 2014).
The council has received 14 letters objecting to the development, citing concerns about the loss of agricultural land and about the site being too large.
A council report said: "Elements of the proposal are considered to be inappropriate development in the green belt, but this harm is not permanent and, on balance, it is considered that the degree of harm would be outweighed by the considerable wider environmental benefits in terms of carbon reduction, and improved energy security."