Sevenoaks councillors have refused a 72,000-panel solar farm on 235 acres between Ridley and New Ash Green, voting against their own planning officers' advice and a developer warning of a £400,000 cost award at appeal.

Sevenoaks councillors have refused plans for a large solar farm on farmland between Ridley and New Ash Green, rejecting a scheme of 72,000 panels across 235 acres at a meeting on 2 June 2026. The Development Management Committee voted against the application even though its own planning officers had recommended approval, and after the developer warned the authority could face a £400,000 costs award if it loses an appeal.

What was decided

New Ash Green Solar Farm Refused: key figures
Chart by Sevenoaks Online.

The application, reference 24/03422/FUL, was submitted by Evolution Power and first lodged with the council in December 2024. It sought permission for a photovoltaic solar array across various sites including land south of Idleigh Court Road and east of Hartley Bottom Road, New Ash Green, with the associated cabling, grid connection and access tracks. (Sevenoaks District Council, Development Management Committee, 2 June 2026)

The committee had deferred the decision once already, at a meeting in January 2026, to look into the scheme further. When it returned on 2 June, officers were still recommending that permission be granted. Councillors disagreed and voted 13 in favour of refusal, with 3 abstentions, on grounds of damage to the local landscape and harm to nearby heritage assets. (Kent Online, Massive solar farm at New Ash Green, Sevenoaks, rejected amid claims it could cost council £400k at appeal)

The numbers behind the scheme

The proposal was one of the larger renewable energy schemes the district has considered. Its scale, as set out by the developer and reported locally, was:

  • 72,000 solar panels across roughly 235 acres of farmland between Ridley and New Ash Green.
  • A generating capacity of 49.9 megawatts, which the developer said would be enough to power around 17,200 homes and save about 11,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
  • A 40-year operational life before the land was returned to its previous use.

Those figures come from the developer’s own material and local reporting; the formal record of the decision and the officer’s report sit with the council. (Kent Online, Sevenoaks councillors set to make decision on 235-acre solar farm scheme between Ridley and New Ash Green)

The arguments on both sides

The case set the push for renewable energy against the protection of Green Belt countryside, a tension that runs through many large rural applications in the district.

Opposition was substantial. More than 1,300 comments were submitted to the planning portal, the majority against, and more than 50 residents attended the meeting. Objectors raised the Green Belt location, the effect on the landscape and listed buildings, and concerns about an aquifer beneath the site. Councillor Perry Cole, who supports solar energy in principle, argued the scheme would generate “a woefully small amount of electricity” for the harm involved. Councillor Michael Horwood said: “You can’t put a price on democracy and local people’s views.” (Kent Online, Massive solar farm rejected)

On the other side, the applicant pressed the renewable energy case and the financial risk of refusal. Evolution Power director Conor McNally told the committee the council could face “an award of costs, estimated at £400,000, against the council at appeal.” (Kent Online, Massive solar farm rejected)

After the vote, Green Party councillor Laura Manston said: “It was the right result and I am really relieved that we’re through this stage.” (Kent Online, Massive solar farm rejected)

What happens next

Refusal does not necessarily end the project. As the applicant flagged, a developer can appeal a refusal to the Planning Inspectorate, the national body that rules on planning disputes. If an inspector finds the council acted unreasonably, the authority can be ordered to pay the other side’s costs, which is the £400,000 risk raised at the meeting. The council can also be asked to defend its decision at a public inquiry.

For now, the decision stands. Residents who want to read the full record can find the officer’s report, the conditions discussed and the formal decision through the application reference on the council’s systems.

How to check this and other applications

  • Read the committee record. The agenda, the chief planning officer’s report and the minutes for the 2 June meeting are on the council’s meeting system.
  • Look up the application. Search reference 24/03422/FUL on the council’s Public Access portal for every document and the decision notice.
  • Follow live decisions. Our roundup of Sevenoaks planning decisions covers the committee’s other recent rulings, and our planning applications guide explains how to track schemes near you.

Sources

Chart by Sevenoaks Online. Decision and committee record from Sevenoaks District Council; scale figures and quotes attributed to Kent Online and the applicant.