Solar Farm Near Kent’s Ancient Roman Ruins Sparks Heritage Concerns
A proposed solar farm close to Kent’s Roman ruins raises fears of heritage loss
Kent, Sandwich, Richborough, Roman Ruins, Solar Farm
Sandwich: A new solar farm is being proposed near ancient Roman ruins. This plan has raised concerns about the impact on local heritage. People worry the area could turn into a large industrial park.
RBL Solar wants to build a 40 megawatt solar farm at the old Richborough landfill. This site is very close to the Roman ruins at Richborough. The company has submitted plans to Dover District Council for approval.
Last year, another solar farm proposal for 49.9 megawatts near the ruins also faced over 700 objections. That project is still waiting for a decision.
The new solar farm site is about the size of 87 football pitches. It was a landfill until the 1990s and has since been restored. The Roman ruins are only 75 metres away from the proposed solar panels.
Richborough was once a significant Roman settlement, featuring a fort and an amphitheatre. Today, the site is managed by English Heritage. Local archaeologist Dr. Tony Redding has voiced strong opposition to the new solar farm plans.
He believes these developments threaten the area’s rural character and could harm local quality of life. He questions the balance between sustainable energy and preserving heritage for future generations.
The new proposal, called RBL2, is next to an existing 5MW solar farm. Another company, Statkraft, has also applied to build a 49.9MW solar farm nearby. This project is still under review.
Notable historian Professor Dame Mary Beard has commented on the situation, urging people to pay attention to the Roman site. The Little South Solar Farm proposal has also received significant public objections.
RBL Solar has been contacted for a statement regarding the new plans.