Residents fear one of the last “unspoilt” corners of Kent could be swamped by an “industrial-scale” increase in solar panels and lose its unique character.

Plans are in motion for three new sites across Romney Marsh, ranging from a 16 megawatt (MW) facility near Dymchurch to a colossal 500MW development around Old Romney.

Together, they would transform swathes of farmland – raising concerns about food security, rural preservation and whether residents' voices are being heard.

People living on the Marsh fear the solar parks will be approved amid a perceived drive for “net zero at any cost”.

“This is industrial-scale solar,” says Colin Woolard, from Newchurch, who is among those taking part in a protest against the plans this weekend.

“The communities aren’t going to benefit. What they’ll lose is the landscape and the amenity of the area they live in - an area they chose because they love Romney Marsh.”

Lifelong resident Mr Woolard, 59, is part of the campaign group, Hands Off Our Marsh, which is trying to raise awareness of what it calls a piecemeal but relentless transformation of the area into a hub for national energy infrastructure.

He believes the Marsh is favoured because of its existing connection to the National Grid via pylons running from the Dungeness substation.

“If that 400kV line didn’t exist here, they wouldn’t be here either,” he said. “That infrastructure is what’s encouraging all these prospectors to put in plans.”

The largest of those plans is the South Kent Energy Park – a 500MW solar and battery facility being brought forward by energy firm Low Carbon.

If approved, it would generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes – more than 20% of Kent’s total – and cover an area equivalent to 840 football pitches.

It would straddle either side of the A259 near Old Romney and could connect to the grid via a new substation or an existing one at Dungeness.

According to Low Carbon, the scheme is still in early development, with a formal application not expected until 2026.

But if granted a Development Consent Order – a process required for energy projects over 50MW – construction could begin by 2029.

James Hartley-Bond, project development director, says the scheme will “play a crucial role” in the UK’s transition to net zero.

Low Carbon says that climate change poses a “serious threat” to agriculture and that less than 0.4% of UK land is needed to meet solar energy targets.

If approved, the South Kent Energy Park would operate for 40 years before the site is returned to agricultural use, “potentially in better condition” due to minimal soil disturbance.

The company emphasised its commitment to “reducing landscape and visual impacts, supporting national energy security with clean, cost-effective solar power, and working closely with local communities and authorities throughout the planning process”.

But Mr Woolard remains unconvinced.

“They’re making promises about consultation, but this is a national process,” he told KentOnline.

“The government’s signing off on it, and our concerns just don’t register.”

Kim Gowing, 57, who lives just outside New Romney, also opposes the solar farm.

“It would bury over 1,500 acres of our most fertile farmland under steel and glass,” she told KentOnline.

“This land has fed generations – once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

Last year, it was revealed that the entire output of the huge Cleve Hill Solar Park at Graveney, near Faversham - originally built to power 100,000 homes - had been bought by Tesco and Shell.

Ms Gowing fears the same could happen with the energy generated by the projects proposed on land near her home.

“In a world facing food insecurity, it’s reckless to trade our soil for solar profits that won’t feed or benefit a single family across Romney Marsh,” she said.

Not far away, another major scheme is entering public consultation.

SSE Renewables has announced plans for its Shepway Energy Park, a 73,000-home-equivalent solar and battery project spread across six sites north and east of Newchurch.

The energy giant says it would save about 49,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, with the site potentially generating electricity by 2033.

Haveer Dookhit, a senior project manager at SSE, said the company was “committed to meaningful engagement” and urged residents to take part in its consultation, which runs until July 13.

“We know energy security and climate change are two of the biggest threats our society faces,” he said.

“Solar technology is one of many solutions that are required to tackle this problem and has shown to provide a meaningful contribution to the UK’s power demand.”

The plans span land within both the Ashford borough and the Folkestone and Hythe district. Like the Low Carbon scheme, it will require national approval due to its scale.

SSE will be hosting three drop-in events during June, and says feedback from these will help shape the next stage of the project.

But many residents are sceptical.

Amanda Farrant, 57, lives on the edge of Newchurch and says her home would be surrounded by the proposed Shepway Energy Park.

“Our small, narrow country lane is proposed as one of the main access routes for construction vehicles – and it’s entirely unsuited to it,” she said.

“The disruption over several years will be immense. We’ll be trapped.

“We often open our creative studio to the public for events like South East Open Studios – this will stop that entirely.”

She’s also worried about what would be built nearby.

“We’re talking about lithium-ion batteries being installed in an area classified as high flood risk,” she added.

“When we built our home, we were told our living space had to be three metres above ground.

“Now they’re proposing industrial batteries right next to us.

“The solar panels will cause glint and glare all day long – it’s going to have a real visual and psychological impact.”

This idea that it will reliably power thousands of homes all year round is simply not true…

Mr Woolard says he supports renewable energy in principle – his own engineering business uses solar – but argues that rural solar farms are often inefficient and come at too high a cost.

“In winter, the output is appalling,” he says.

“We can barely boil a kettle.

“This idea that it will reliably power thousands of homes all year round is simply not true.”

He’s also concerned about the lasting impact on land and water management.

“These sites have been called ‘temporary’ for 40 years,” he said.

“That’s not temporary. Once those drainage pipes go, they’re gone for good. Agriculture won’t come back.”

A third, smaller-scale scheme has also been proposed by Enviromena, which has submitted plans for a 16MW solar park on land opposite Marten Farm, along St Mary’s Road near Dymchurch.

The firm says the development would cover about 40 hectares and power an estimated 10,600 homes per year, avoiding nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Enviromena says the land, currently used for grazing, will continue to support pastoral farming and promises a biodiversity net gain over the lifespan of the project.

About 35,000 solar panels are planned.

In a statement, Enviromena said: “The scheme has been designed as a temporary development, with no change to land classification.

“At the end of its operational life – up to 40 years – it will be fully decommissioned and restored to agricultural use.

“We understand the unique character of Romney Marsh and have taken every possible step to integrate the project sensitively into its surroundings.”

Mr Woolard, like others in the area, wants to see more emphasis on rooftop panels.

It’s become like a religious ideology now – net zero at any cost...

“There’s a place for solar,” he says. “But this isn’t it.”

Despite the mounting opposition, the national planning framework for major energy projects makes it difficult for local councils to reject these schemes.

Under the current system, the final say lies with central government.

Mr Woolard added: “These schemes are being waved through. It’s become like a religious ideology now – net zero at any cost.

“This is one of the last unspoilt places. Big skies, open fields, peace. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

The government has committed to a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030 and wants the UK to be net zero - no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere - by 2050.

Hands Off Our Marsh is protesting against the proposed solar farms this weekend.

On Sunday, the group will lead a walk around Old Romney to raise awareness.

They will set off at 10am outside the Rose & Crown pub at Old Romney and will follow public footpaths and country lanes around areas of land proposed for the South Kent Energy Park.

Just a few miles away in the Ashford district, Green energy firm Quintas Cleantech is planning a solar farm the size of 68 football pitches in Kenardington, near Ashford.

Protesters are planning to walk the boundary of the site, sticking to footpaths and field boundaries on Sunday, June 8, at Legge Farm in Woodchurch.