Campaigners feel 'powerless' over future of East Pye solar farm

Campaigners speaking at a series of open floor hearings on the future of a 2,700-acre (about 1,000-hectare) solar farm say they feel powerless and dismissed.

Six months of hearings began on Tuesday on the future of the East Pye solar farm which, if approved, would be built on land near Long Stratton in Norfolk and would generate enough power for 115,000 homes.

Developer Island Green Power (IGP), said the solar farm would help the UK reduce its carbon emission and meet net zero targets.

But Sandra Mullet, who lives in Great Moulton, said: "There is a genuine sense of grief and fear in our communities. You have made us feel powerless, but we are not - and we should not - be dismissed as such."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said that more than 60 people spoke during two open floor hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday at Dunston Hall in Norwich.

The project will stretch across a number of villages including Hempnall, Great Moulton and Saxlingham Nethergate.

The Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council, Daniel Elmer, said the district had already accommodated several major infrastructure projects, including renewable energy schemes.

He said: "The scale of this infrastructure is substantial and has already transformed parts of our rural landscape.

"This is not a debate about whether renewable energy is necessary. It is, but this particular scheme would not work for South Norfolk."

In documents submitted to the government, developer IGP estimated the project would cost £1bn to build including land acquisition, construction and installation costs.

Due to its size, the solar farm is considered nationally significant and is one of three major solar farms planned for Norfolk.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Kathy Thompson, from Great Moulton, told the Planning Inspectorate that the project "threatens everyone in Norfolk".

She said: "The reality is that many still have no idea of the terrifying scale of what is happening."

Opponents have also likened the project to HS2, the high-speed railway which will connect London and Birmingham.

Karl Catchpole, Reform UK councillor for Long Stratton, said: "We can't let East Pye solar become this region's HS2: a decision made far away, imposed on a community that is never totally listened to.

"South Norfolk has already contributed to this country's energy targets."

Previously, a spokesman for IGP said "solar energy is among the cheapest power produced in Great Britain, supporting the aim of reducing bills for homes and businesses".

The examination process is expected to conclude in February when inspector David Cliff will have three months to submit a recommendation to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who will have a further three months to make a decision.

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Hearings begin over future of £1bn solar farm