Solar farm set for approval despite objections

Plans for a 200 acre (about 80 hectare) solar farm are being recommended for approval, despite objections to the scheme.

Renewable energy firm Albanwise Synergy said the development near Reepham, Norfolk, would generate enough power for 14,000 homes.

Reepham Town Council and Broadland and Fakenham Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew have both objected to the proposal, citing concerns over the loss of farmland and the impact of the development on the area.

But a report advises Broadland District Council's planning committee to approve the Pettywell solar farm, advising it would "provide a source of clean green renewable energy".

Such plans are proving increasingly controversial, and some of the UK's largest solar farms are being proposed for Norfolk near the likes of Dereham, Long Stratton and Diss.

Because of their size, the proposed sites are what the government calls "nationally significant infrastructure projects" – and the final say on them lies with ministers.

However, while it would still cover the equivalent of more than 100 football pitches, the development at Pettywell is much smaller, and the district council will decide whether or not to grant planning permission.

Along with thousands of solar panels, the site would have a substation and a battery energy storage system.

About 80 people have objected to the plans, as well as the town council and Mayhew.

Their concerns include the loss of agricultural land and how a large industrial development – described as "overwhelming" by the MP – will look in a rural setting.

Other significant infrastructure projects could also impact the area, with a 37-mile underground cable route connecting offshore wind farms planned to run through the same site.

Last year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the "prize" from solar farms was "cheaper energy for people across Norfolk".

Albanwise Synergy said its proposal was for solar panels that would be in place for 40 years and would provide enough electricity for "renewable energy for the equivalent of over 14,000 homes and displace approximately 6,471 tonnes of CO2 per annum".

Government advisers Natural England said that if the solar farm were removed after the 40 years, it was likely that the land could be returned to agricultural use.

A report for councillors says the site would contribute to the government's net-zero targets and measures such as tree planting would lessen its impact on the landscape.

It advises them to vote in favour of the plan when they meet later this month.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.