RES is disappointed by the decision taken by Sevenoaks District Council, under delegated powers, to refuse the application for the proposed Chimmens Solar Farm.

Solar power, alongside other renewable energy technologies, is the cheapest form of new electricity generation and helps us to enhance our energy security as a nation.

Pauric McCloskey, Development Project Manager at RES, said: “We would like to thank the local community for the constructive feedback they gave us during the development of Chimmens Solar Farm. RES put their feedback into action and increased buffers from local properties, added new native woodland screening and changed the locations of other infrastructure on-site.

“This collaborative design process resulted in a better proposal, which had the ability to deliver a range of local benefits, including a community fund to support local projects and a significant Biodiversity Net Gain.

“We’re disappointed to receive the decision from Sevenoaks District Council, especially without the project being considered by locally elected representatives at a planning committee. We will now take time to carefully review the details of the decision that has been made.”