Hearings begin over future of £1bn solar farm

Public hearings over the future of a huge proposed solar farm are due to get under way.

Developer Island Green Power (IGP) has said the East Pye scheme will be on land near Long Stratton, in Norfolk, and will generate enough power for 115,000 homes.

Six months of hearings, starting on Tuesday at Dunston Hall, near Norwich, will examine the scheme spanning 2,700 acres (1,090 hectares).

Once this examination process has ended, inspector David Cliff will have three months to submit a recommendation to the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, who will have a further three months to make a decision.

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

However, the plans have previously been strongly opposed by residents and campaign groups concerned about the loss of agricultural land and impact on the countryside.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said almost 2,000 people had made representations during the consultation phase, with many vehemently opposed to the project.

In documents submitted to the government, IGP estimated the solar farm would cost £1bn to build.

This figure includes land acquisition, construction and installation costs.

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

Hearings for The Droves solar farm near Swaffham are already under way, while the High Grove solar farm, proposed near Dereham, is in the pre-application phase.

East Pye's first hearing on Tuesday will set out the examination process and will include an open hearing where people registered to speak can make representations.

Another open floor hearing will take place on Wednesday, with more than 60 people including MPs and councillors registered to speak.

Further hearings have been pencilled in for November and December and the examination is expected to end in February.

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