Proposed decision –
To approve Kent County Council’s approach to photovoltaic (PV) generation
Reason for the decision
- To update the 2014 position statement ‘Development of Large-Scale Solar Arrays’ to provide guidance to applicants, communities, and district councils to help support well designed and appropriately sited solar installations across Kent.
Background
KCC considers that Solar Developments:
(a) Should be well-designed and appropriately located, which is consistent with its commitment to protecting valued landscapes, habitats, heritage, and agricultural land.
(b) Require careful consideration and should not be located on Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land (grades 1 to 3a).
KCC does not support applications for ground mounted solar arrays that do not have a grid connection secured with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO)/National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) at the time the application is submitted.
KCC acknowledges that co-located Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) storage is generally necessary to make solar farms viable; however, KCC does not support grid-scale BESS.
KCC considers that BESS should only be co-located if “a” and “b” policy positions above are satisfied, and that safety measures are in place including minimum 25m separation distances, emergency access, fire?fighting provision and an Emergency Response Plan.
Options (other options considered but discarded)
- Retract, without replacing, the 2014 position statement ‘Development of Large-Scale Solar Arrays’.
- KCC to have no position statement on solar development.
How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement
- Stand firm against excessively large housing and solar farm developments.
- Protecting our land from excessively large solar farms.
- Push back on inappropriate solar farm development planned for Kent which is threatening the character of many local communities.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 24/04/2026
Decision due: Not before 25th May 2026 by Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects
Lead director: Stephanie Holt-Castle
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Tom Henderson, Project Manager Email: tom.henderson@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision will be considered at the Growth Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 5 May 2026
Financial implications: None
Legal implications: This Position Statement provides non-statutory views on KCC’s approach to applications for Solar Developments in Kent and is not part of the development plan. It does not constitute policy and does not prejudice KCC’s consideration of individual planning applications for Solar Developments as a statutory consultee. The Position Statement is intended to inform, not to pre-determine responses. Accordingly, it does not bind KCC to a fixed position, and its consultation responses should be understood as being capable of departing from the broad principles set out in this document where justified by the circumstances of a particular case.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications - An EqIA has been undertaken and no key issues were identified Data Protection implications - No data protection implications