Published: Monday, 9th June 2025
Sevenoaks District Council is considering leasing a former landfill site in Sevenoaks to a solar farm company to help generate clean electricity for South East Water.
The company approached the Council to lease the site off Otford Road which was previously a Kent County Council landfill site. Because of its previous use, the site is not suitable for housing and most agricultural activities.
The company is proposing to build a discrete and modestly sized solar farm on the site comprising mainly Council land and possibly some additional land if a lease can be agreed with a different landowner.
Electricity from the solar farm would power the water treatment works at Crampton's road which is operated by South East Water, with the team exploring the options for surplus energy to be used to power some nearby Council buildings.
The proposal includes ideas to support nature, such as wildflower planting and new hedgerows. If the project goes ahead, the site will support more wildlife than at present.
Leasing the site would generate an income for the Council for 32 years from land that is otherwise fallow. This would be invested in services used by everyone across the District.
The site is to the rear of Aldi and is not visible to the public. The project will require planning permission so the public can comment on the proposal as part of the planning process.
Cllr Kevin Maskell, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance & Investments, says: “This is a positive proposal for the District and the environment. New uses for the site are limited, making it ideal for a solar farm.
"The solar farm could generate clean, green electricity for years to come for the water company and the Council, helping to meet our climate change objectives.
"The lease is good news for local taxpayers. It will bring in a long-term income that will be invested in local services.”
Matthew Hersey, South East Water's Carbon Strategy and Economic Manager, adds: "We are pleased to be collaborating with Sevenoaks District Council on this small solar farm to hopefully power our nearby water treatment works using land that is otherwise unusable.
"Water treatment and pumping are extremely energy intensive, and it’s very difficult to find suitable opportunities to generate meaningful quantities of renewable electricity in urban areas near to our sites. This very promising project is one of a number we're looking at across our supply area.
"We're committed to becoming a Net Zero business, with ambition to have 100% of the company powered by renewable energy by 2030."
The proposal to lease the site will be considered by the Council’s Finance and Investment Advisory Committee on 10 June 2025 then Cabinet on 15 July 2025.
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