Suffolk County Council fears pace of decision for EcoPower’s 250-megawatt solar farm plans in north Suffolk

A council is urging communities to ‘act quickly’ in opposing plans for a massive 1,500-acre solar farm in north Suffolk.

EcoPower’s plans for a 250-megawatt solar farm, spanning multiple sites across Yaxley, Brome, Gislingham, Mellis, Eye, and Occold have sparked concern as Suffolk County Council believes the application is progressing at an unprecedented pace.

The council fears the rapid timeline will leave communities with little opportunity to navigate the planning process, assess the project’s impact and voice their concerns.

EcoPower is expected to submit its application to the Planning Inspectorate in about 12 months, meaning residents will only have two chances to provide feedback — the first being a non-statutory consultation on March 10 followed by a statutory consultation.

Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s deputy cabinet member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), said: “The speed at which this proposal is moving is frightening for us as statutory consultees, as well as for local communities. It could also set a worrying precedent for future NSIP projects.

“As an example, the Sunnica solar farm, which was opposed by Suffolk County Council, took around six years from being launched, to being approved. The EcoPower project could be wrapped in as little as two years.

“This hurried process adds pressure on the county council, as well as communities, as it will require significant additional resources and staff to manage - on top of the other energy projects and NSIPs that we are already dealing with.

“This breakneck speed is no doubt influenced by the government’s unrealistic obsession to decarbonise our electricity supply by 2030. They must slow down to allow for proper planning, coordination of energy projects, and fair treatment of communities.”

Suffolk County Council has formally opposed solar farm proposals that would remove the top grades of agricultural land and say that independent assessments will be conducted to ensure that Suffolk’s best farmland is not sacrificed — potentially putting food security at risk.

The council has a preference for rooftop solar installations over rural developments and insists that solar developers must ensure their supply chains are free from any links to forced labour.

There are concerns about the impact on the welfare of communities affected by the proposed scheme as the council says large-scale developments like these can permanently alter the lives of those living nearby.

It said councillors have witnessed the stress and anxiety caused by the sudden announcement of major infrastructure projects.

Cllr Rout hopes residents will contribute to the consultation before it closes on April 18.

He said: “We will do what we can to support communities through the planning process and we are currently writing to parish and town councils.

“However, from my early meetings with EcoPower, I am concerned that they are not taking seriously the very real mental wellbeing impacts of their proposal.

“Local residents are foremost in my thoughts, and I have already met with some who have seen a real impact on house prices and sales in the area. This takes a huge toll on individuals and families, and EcoPower has a duty of care to our communities and needs to step up in this regard.

“It is a real concern that the Secretary of State will just wave through this project, as he did with Sunnica, despite the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation not to proceed. But local communities must engage with the process and make their concerns known.

“I urge people to act quickly, and contribute fully and effectively to the consultation.”