Enviromena has secured planning permission for the 16MWac St Mary in the Marsh solar farm near New Romney and Newchurch in Kent.
The project will generate more than 28,000MWh of electricity a year, enough to power over 10,500 homes and avoid more than 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, said the developer.
Approval was granted by Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s planning committee in line with the planning officer’s recommendation, added the company.
Enviromena stated that the project meets the readiness and strategic alignment criteria in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
The scheme will deliver a biodiversity net gain including a 388% increase in hedgerow units, 81% in habitat units and 28% in watercourse units.
The site will be managed to restore and enhance the natural environment through native planting, wildflower meadows, hedgerow improvements and ecological monitoring.
Mark Harding, chief development officer at Enviromena, said: “This is a well-considered scheme that supports both the national drive towards net zero and Folkestone & Hythe’s local climate action ambitions.”
“We’re pleased the planning committee recognised the project’s merits, and we’re proud to be bringing forward something that strengthens the local environment and delivers long-term benefits for the community.”
The development includes a £32,000 community benefit package and will support the council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency commitments.