There is one last chance for residents to make their views known on plans for a large solar farm in the countryside.

The proposed Sheepwash Solar Farm lies 900m west of Marden, but falls within the parish of Collier Street, and if passed would cover 184 acres of farmland at Eckley Farm in solar panels.

The application had been refused once by Maidstone council, but the developer, Statkraft, has appealed to the government Planning Inspectorate and the issue will be looked at again during a public inquiry in Maidstone Town Hall later this month.

Planning inspector Philip Major has invited the public to submit their views by Friday, January 5.

The solar farm would provide power for 12,000 homes, but campaigners say that very little has changed since the application was first submitted to make the plan any more acceptable.

Vickey Petrie, of the Say No to Marden Solar group, said: “The fundamentals are the same.

“The site is still proposed for best and most versatile agricultural land that is needed for food production.

“The scoping opinion submitted by the applicants has still not done the area justice.”

The borough council had also been concerned about the impact on the 33 Grade II-listed buildings within 1 km of the site. They are still there.

But Mrs Petrie fears the pendulum might be swinging in favour of the application being approved.

She said: “The whole issue of renewable energy has become so politicised.

“Also people are worried about the cost of living and their jobs.

“But this application will not bring any permanent jobs to Marden and will not lower local energy prices.”

She urged people to make a response to the planning inquiry before the deadline if they haven’t already done so.

She said: “We are not saying no to renewable energy, but only that it has to be in the right place – and prime farmland is not that place.

“The drive for green energy needs to be balanced with food security.”

To respond, you can complete an online form via the inspectorate portal.

Alternatively, email the appeal clerk, John Legg, at john.legg@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

In both cases, you must quote appeal reference APP/U2235/W/23/3321094

You can view the original application and the amended details on the council’s website here.

Look for application number 22/501335.

The inquiry will start on Tuesday, January 16, at 10am and is expected to last up to six days.

The public can attend and may be allowed to speak at the discretion of the inspector.

Further information from Mr Legg on 0303 444 5244.