Concerns have been raised about the installation of 72 ground-mounted solar panels at a historic home.

Although it has no objection "in principle" Seal Parish Council is worried about plans for Rooks Hill House

It is concerned the development at the property in Rooks Hill, Bitchet Green, near Sevenoaks, would be very visible.

This is because of their prominent position on a hill on the Greensand escarpment.

The council says this could be detrimental to the local landscape – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and also falls within the greenbelt.

It also worries there is the possibility reflected light from the surface of the panels would be particularly visible.

The applicants say the panels would simply supply domestic power to the seven-bedroom detached home.

The property, set in 11 acres, was built in the early 1900s for Alexander Duckham, who founded Duckhams Oil.

In 1940 it was gifted to The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and for many years was used as a nursery for children of deceased or disabled flyers.

Duckham died in 1946 while the company he founded in 1899 was eventually bought up by BP in 1969.

By which time Duckhams Oil had become the largest independent lubricating oil company in the UK.

BP still sell their products under the Duckhams name.

The property has previously been listed as one of the 10 most expensive in Kent and was valued at £6.4m in 2019.

The application details can be viewed on the Sevenoaks council website here.

Application number 23/00444.