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Mid Suffolk District Council decision due on solar farm plans in Earl Stonham, near Stowmarket, capable of powering close to 10,000 homes




A final decision is due on major solar farm plans capable of powering close to 10,000 homes.

Councillors in Mid Suffolk are due to discuss plans for a 35-hectare solar farm on farmland west of Blacksmiths Lane, in Earl Stonham, during a meeting of the planning committee on Wednesday.

Low Carbon Solar Park 27 Ltd, which submitted the plans in October 2023, is seeking permission to build the solar farm for 40 years alongside other infrastructure, including substations, inverters, CCTV and fencing.

The solar farm would be able to power the equivalent of 9,642 homes. Picture: iStock
The solar farm would be able to power the equivalent of 9,642 homes. Picture: iStock

The farm would have a 30 megawatt output, enough energy to power 9,642 homes every year, and save as much as 216,000 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.

But the plans are facing local opposition, with objections submitted by 26 residents, Earl Stonham Parish Council and Cllr Nicholas Hardingham, the local ward member.

Concerns include the loss of agricultural land, the farm's proximity to heritage assets, and the impacts on the rural landscape and amenity.

The solar farm would be built on land west of Blacksmiths Lane, Earl Stonham. Picture: Google Maps
The solar farm would be built on land west of Blacksmiths Lane, Earl Stonham. Picture: Google Maps

One resident said: "While I appreciate the potential benefits of renewable energy, particularly solar power, I believe that the conversion of valuable agricultural land for this purpose poses significant risks to our food security, environmental stability, and rural way of life."

Planning officers said although the plans would cause long-term sustained impact on several heritage assets, the 40-year temporary nature of the solar farm meant harm could be reversed.

If the current proposals were backed by councillors, the farm, 69 per cent of which would not sit on best-quality land, would be connected to the grid via an existing electricity pole.

The company has said alternative sites would not be within a viable distance from the point of connection to the grid.

Officers have deemed the project acceptable and have recommended the farm for approval, subject to conditions.



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