Hempnall council to fight 2,700-acre East Pye solar farm

The proposed site - surrounding a large cluster of villages close to the A140 near Long Stratton - would be six times larger than the UK's current biggest, if it goes ahead.

Energy firm Island Green Power claims that the 2,700-acre project will power 115,000 homes and play a key role in helping the country reach its ambitious net-zero targets.

But parish councils in the area have already voiced their opposition to the huge scheme, which will stretch over a distance of more than 10 miles and cover around eight villages.

A 2,700-acre solar farm could be built across 34 field in south Norfolk (Image: Newsquest)

David Hook, chairman of Hempnall Parish Council, said: "The sheer size and transformative nature of this project would completely destroy the area.

"Stretching more than 10 miles in total, it would be equal to roughly three-quarters the size of the entire parish of Hempnall."

The proposed farm, called East Pye Solar, would cover dozens of separate, unconnected fields on both sides of the A140.

The sites would be clustered around Hempnall covering areas of several surrounding villages, including Saxlingham, Brooke, Woodton, Great Moulton, Tharston, Hardwick, Topcroft and Kirstead Green, as well as Long Stratton.

The area is just to the east of the route of a proposed pylon line which has already prompted an opposition campaign by locals.

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR SOLAR

The East Pye plans have been unveiled only days after RWE revealed its own proposals to create an even larger solar farm across 4,000 acres of farmland close to the A47 between Dereham and Swaffham.

If that scheme, named High Grove, goes ahead it will create the largest such site in the UK, with East Pye as the second biggest.

The current largest is only 250 acres.

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The two projects - which would make Norfolk the solar capital of the UK - are seen as a crucial way for the country to massively increase its renewable resources as it strives decarbonise the energy system by 2035.

This is part of a commitment to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

However, the solar schemes have raised concerns with critics saying the land is better used for farming and questioning the efficiency and cost - ultimately met by billpayers - of such projects.

There are also objections about their impact on the countryside.

The East Pye Solar project would stretch more than 10 miles if approved (Image: Island Green Power)

BATTLE AHEAD

However, local communities may find it hard to halt the plans.

Because of its size, the East Pye scheme is expected to be classified as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).

These bypass normal local planning processes, with the decision on whether they should go ahead left with Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, rather than local councils.

Earlier this month, Mr Miliband said solar power was "crucial" to hitting net zero targets and declared his intention to push ahead with onshore windfarms and solar farms where possible.

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The approval process is expected to take around two years after Island Green Power submits its formal application in late 2025. In the meantime, a six-week consultation is under way.

Mr Hook said that other parish councils were expected to join his own authority in trying to block the proposals, while discussions were under way about forming a community group to co-ordinate the opposition. 

"We are not 'NIMBYs' just because we are standing up to the destruction of our countryside," he said. 

"We just want to preserve what little we have left and I expect action groups to be formed across the other parishes to fight this tooth and nail." 

Mr Hook added: "We are not fighting renewable energy by any means.

Hempnall Parish Council chairman David Hook said he will fight the project tooth and nail (Image: Newsquest)

"We recognise the impact of climate change and the need for clean power more than anything, but these areas should remain tranquil, serene and untouched. 

"The countryside is for everyone and in a time when the country is already so overcrowded, spaces like this should be prized."

EAST PYE DEFENDED

As well as photovoltaic panels on farmland, the plans also include battery storage systems, electrical substations and cabling to connect the sites and link them to the National Grid.

The company behind the 500 megawatts scheme say it will encourage wildlife and biodiversity.

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A spokesman for Island Green, which already operates smaller solar farms in Salhouse and Trowse, said: "Our proposals for the East Pye Solar project would provide the opportunity to explore ecological enhancements in the area, and we are committed to achieving a biodiversity net gain across the site.

"To reach this, a number of wildlife enhancement measures will be considered. 

"We believe the local community is best placed to suggest, comment, and feedback on these measures and will be looking for feedback on this once we launch our first phase of consultation later this year.

"Ultimately, we believe solar parks can, and should, coexist harmoniously with both the local community and the environment."