South Brooks Solar Farm
South Brooks Solar Farm is proposed for land around Lydd by EDF power solutions UK and PS Renewables. The land is largely within the Folkestone and Hythe district but a small part sits in the neighbouring Rother District Council area.
The proposal is for a solar and battery development capable of delivering 500MW of renewable electricity with the potential to power 140,000 homes each year. The supply of electricity would be connected to the National Grid through a substation such as the one at Dungeness.
Size
The proposal is being considered for five main parcels of land and interconnecting cable routes and infrastructure totalling 1,208 Hectares (2,985 acres) in area. Not all land will contain solar panels. The latest proposals are for 655 Hectares (1618.5 acres) of above-ground development and 322 Hectares (795.6 acres) of land for landscaping and ecology. The latest plans also identify areas for proposed battery storage and substations.
Consultation
A consultation on early plans took place between 18 September and 30 October 2025.
The second phase of consultation is taking place between 28 May and 9 July 2026. The consultation includes more detailed plans and environmental information (the Preliminary Environmental Information). The consultation information is on the company website using the link at the top of this page.
Decision maker
As the development proposes to produce in excess of 100 MW the application has to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. After the proposals have been scrutinised and the planning inspectors have made a recommendation, the final decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
An application to the Planning Inspectorate is expected in early summer 2027.
As the local authority, Folkestone & Hythe District Council will be consulted on the final planning proposal.