Swale Borough Council has obtained legal advice on the prospect of a judicial review to overturn a consent order for a 350 MW solar power station and battery storage on Graveney Marshes.

The order was granted to Cleve Hill Solar Park Ltd by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 28 May, and the opinion received is that there is no basis upon which the decision can be legally challenged.

The council was extremely disappointed with the decision, which was a great shock to local residents.

The development will industrialise a site the size of Faversham, which is in a very sensitive location. Although the council understand the need to generate renewable energy at scale, it is equally important to protect our few remaining wild places.

The developer now needs to submit proposals to the council on several requirements they are obliged to meet.

These requirements cover aspects that were the major areas of concern at the planning enquiry, including management plans for battery safety, landscape and biodiversity and traffic.

The council is required to consult some official bodies on these proposals, such as the Health and Safety Executive, Kent Fire and Rescue, Natural England and Kent County Council.

The council is committed to going beyond this by consulting local community groups such as Graveney and Goodnestone Parish Council, Faversham Town Council, Graveney Rural Environment Action Team (GREAT), the Faversham Society, CPRE and Kent Wildlife Trust.