Controversial plans to build a massive solar farm on the edge of the city have been rejected.

The 87-acre solar panel farm was planned for a field northeast of Reepham Road, Horsford and would have been operational for 40 years.

But the plans, submitted by London-based firm Pathfinder Clean Energy, have been rejected by Broadland District Council at a planning meeting last week.

An 87-acre plot of land in Horsford was earmarked for solar farm development in 2022An 87-acre plot of land in Horsford was earmarked for solar farm development in 2022 (Image: Google)

Since the proposals were first put forward in late 2022 they have been widely criticised.

In September last year, Norwich Airport raised concerns that sunlight reflected off the panels could blind pilots and "compromise flight safety", endangering air travellers.

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The project was hit with further setbacks in December when Norfolk County Council's historic environment team said there may be culturally important artefacts still buried in the field and recommended no work start until a survey could be carried out.

Fears that solar panels could dazzle pilots flying in and out of Norwich Airport were just one of a number of issues raised Fears that solar panels could dazzle pilots flying in and out of Norwich Airport were just one of a number of issues raised (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman for Horsford Parish Council also objected to the plans on farming grounds, wondering why a site "excellent for growing crops" was selected for the project.

On rejecting the plans committee members said that poorer quality land should be used instead of the 87 acres at Horsford which is classed as "best and most versatile agricultural land".

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The loss and impact of losing such a significant piece of land as a result of the development was not considered to be outweighed by the benefits of the proposed renewable energy generation.

Councillor Eleanor Laming said it was not an easy application to decide onCouncillor Eleanor Laming said it was not an easy application to decide on (Image: Newsquest)

Green Party councillor Eleanor Laming, who was present at the meeting, said: "This was not an easy application to determine.  

"I think we will see more solar farm applications coming forward in Norfolk in the future and I would like to see more trials of agrivoltaics, where farming and solar panels are combined to deliver both energy and food.

"East Anglia could potentially be a suitable region to carry out such research."