Like many people, I was gutted when I heard that the Cleve Hill solar plant had been given the go ahead.

The campaign to save Graveney Marshes has entered a crucial stage.

The Business Secretary is due to make a decision by the end of May on whether to grant permission to the Cleve Hill solar plant, which would cover 900 acres of the North Kent coast with industrial solar panels.

One month ago, on Monday 9 September, a group of 50 campaigners gathered in Westminster to protest against the Cleve Hill solar plant.

I was delighted to welcome campaigners fighting to save Graveney Marshes to Parliament on Monday 9 September.

Next month I will be leading a debate in Parliament on the proposed solar power plant at Graveney Marshes to highlight the local environmental impact of the 890-acre development.

The following statement was read out on my behalf at the open floor planning hearing into Cleve Hill solar farm.

I’m seriously worried that this enormous solar power station will industrialise swathes of open countryside. Rather than being good for the environment it could actually do a lot of harm.

Graveney Marshes are eerily beautiful and a haven for rare birds; I’m very worried that plans for a solar power station the size of Faversham would change them forever.

Cleve Hill Solar have launched their application process to build a solar power plant on 387.6 hectares of Graveney Marshes. I spoke out against the scheme at the GREAT (Graveney Rural Envirnmental Action Team) meeting at the Guildhall in December. 

I remain extremely concerned about what is being proposed and will be writing to the company to set this out.