A huge solar farm that would be in use for 40 years and provide power to 7,000 homes has been approved.

The panels are destined for farmland off The Lane, in Guston, near Dover, and will cover 29 hectares (72 acres).

Proposed by a company called Greentech Invest UK, they are expected to give electricity to around 7,000 homes, covering around 13% of the Dover district.

There would be rows of panels each 25.6m (84ft) wide and 6.4m (21ft) long.

They would be mounted on a base with the lowest point of the panel being about 0.7m (2.2ft) above ground level and the highest point of the panel at 3.05m (10ft) above ground.

The proposed development also includes equipment such as transformer stations and storage and control cabins.

The electricity generated would go to the National Grid via a connection to the Guston substation.

The proposal had been submitted to Dover District Council for approval.

Six residents sent in letters of objection, some complaining of a loss of farmland for growing food and that it would spoil the look of the rural area.

One, Antony Minns, had said in the council planning portal: "The placing of a solar panel farm on arable farmland is an irreparable blight upon the rural environment. Each and every solar panel farm site already installed is an eyesore."

Anthony Hyde commented: "The additional vehicular use of these roads is to be resisted as it creates greater congestion on single lane roads.

"It also increases the risks to existing road users including horse riders, cyclists and dog walkers."

There were seven letters in favour of the application.

One writer, Paul Brown, said:"I strongly support the need for more green energy.

"With the rising cost of electricity and the negative affect of fossil fuels on our environment I feel solar power is the way of the future

"It should be made available to everyone and this way helps people who cannot afford there own solar systems."

Last night, Dover District Council's planning committee approved the application by eight votes against one.

Guston Parish Council had supported the scheme and clerk Glynis Farthing said: "Current electricity spare capacity margins are now very low.

"The Government recognises the urgent need to bring forward renewable energy projects to ensure energy security and reduce dependency on imported energy.

"We cannot ignore the need to diversify and adapt to change.

"Our community is willing to embrace the development of the solar farm."

Cllr Peter Jull said: "I'm quite content with the landscaping proposed.

"I spend lots of my weekends walking lots of footpaths and though solar farms and they're not the worst things to walk past. I'm happy to support the officers' recommendation."