Major setback for plan for large solar farm

1 hour ago

Paul MoseleyNorfolk political reporter

Getty Images Rows of solar panels in a field forming a solar panel.

Plans for a large solar farm received a significant setback – while another reached a major milestone.

Developers of the 3,600-acre (1,460-hectare) Tasway Energy Park project near Long Stratton, Norfolk, said they had not been given a date to connect to the national grid system, meaning they were now “reviewing the next steps”.

The Stop Tasway Solar campaign group, which has opposed the project over concerns of “industrialisation of the countryside”, said it hoped it would now be withdrawn altogether.

However, the firm behind the nearby East Pye Solar scheme – which would cover almost 2,700 acres (1,090 hectares) – said it had been told it would get a connection to the national grid.

NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock A drone picture shows a huge solar farm near the village of Great Wilbraham, near Cambridge, from above. Thousands of panels cover a huge field. The solar farm is surrounded by fields and trees.

With its flat terrain and generally sunnier weather, Norfolk has been seen as an ideal place for solar farms – and several of the UK’s largest have been proposed for the county.

The government has said such schemes are necessary to reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions and provide better energy security.

But critics have warned about the loss of agricultural land and the impact on the look of the countryside.

And the largest solar farms have been controversial because, due to their classification as nationally significant infrastructure, final say on them rests with the government instead of local councils.

Earlier this month, the government-owned National Energy System Operator (NESO) told developers whether they would receive connections to the national grid.

Those deemed “ready to go” received “Gate 2” status, giving them a connection date to join the national power network.

Others were given “Gate 1”, meaning they have no date for connection, but could move forward in the future.

Jenny Kirk/BBC A close-up on a telegraph pole which has a sign stuck to it saying "Brooke Says No To East Pye Solar Farm"

Developer Island Green Power (IGP) said its East Pye project – stretched over a large area across villages including Hempnall, Great Moulton and Saxlingham Nethergate – had received “Gate 2” status.

IGP has said the site, which would cover 1,500 football pitches, would generate power for 115,000 homes a year.

Whilst the firm said it expected to formally seek approval from the government for its plans in February, campaign group Block East Pye Solar told the BBC it was “taking legal advice” on whether it could challenge the decision.

IGP also received positive news about its Droves solar and battery storage scheme, which would cover another 2,800 acres near the East Pye site.

Project manager Harman Sond said the government’s planning inspectorate had agreed to inspect its proposals – which he described as “a significant milestone”.

However, the firm did not confirm if it had been given a date for connecting to the grid.

Aukera We can see map of part of south Norfolk, including Tacolneston and Long Stratton. Some parts are highlighted yellow, to show where intended developments would be

The future of the Tasway project, though, which would also be built in south Norfolk, has been thrown into doubt.

It received “Gate 1” status and its developers, energy firm Aukera, said it was “reviewing next steps”.

“This outcome will mean there will be a delay to the planning submission process,” the company added.

Myles Jeeves, from Stop Tasway Solar, was pleased – but wanted to see the proposals completely scrapped.

“We think this is the right decision, given the existing projects in the area,” he said.

“We hope Tasway will do the right thing and withdraw the scheme rather than hang it over all our heads.”

But the developers of the 4,000-acre (1,619-hectare) High Grove project, planned for five sites near Swaffham and Dereham in Norfolk, would not disclose what kind of connection they had been offered by NESO.

A spokeswoman for RWE said it was reviewing decisions made and “considering the implications for our current and future projects”.

“Once this process has been completed we will be able to provide further details regarding the High Grove project,” she added.

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