Concerns mount in Suffolk villages and town as new solar farm application put forward
Plans for a huge solar farm – covering around 1,500 acres of land across Suffolk – have been revealed.
EcoPower Suffolk is working on a scheme to deliver 250 megawatts of renewable energy that would impact land in Yaxley, Brome, Gislingham, Mellis, Eye and Occold.
Due to its size, it is classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), meaning it will be decided upon by the Secretary of State, Ed Miliband, rather than the local authority.
The project has already sparked concern from Suffolk County Council, which is keen to protect agricultural land.
Senior cabinet member Richard Rout said: “Another NSIP is looking to land in Suffolk and, for many of the communities impacted by these plans, this comes hot on the heels of discussing the Norwich to Tilbury pylon proposals.
“So I can fully understand how communities are wearily bracing themselves for a time-consuming and uncertain road ahead.
“It does feel like a case of ‘here we go again’, but I am expecting regular, productive engagement with EcoPower Suffolk.
“Ultimately, any decision to approve or refuse this scheme will be made by the Government.
“The worst-case scenario is that we will suffer a similar farce to the Sunnica project: an incredibly poor proposal, seemingly rushed through on a whim by the Secretary of State, all because the Government is hastily chasing an unrealistic target of decarbonising the Grid by 2030.”
A number of consultations, beginning in March, will be held by EcoPower Suffolk as it shapes its final planning application. It hopes that the project will connect to the national grid by 2030.
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