MoD explains possible impact of solar farm on jets

The developer behind a large solar farm has been asked to come up with a strategy to deal with the impact of glint and glare on an RAF base.

Public hearings are being held by the Planning Inspectorate into The Droves, a solar farm set to cover an area equivalent of 1,175 football pitches between Swaffham and Castle Acre in Norfolk.

The MoD has said it will oppose the plans because of concerns about the impact it would have on the RAF Marham airbase.

Developers Island Green Power (IGP) have agreed to meet with the MoD to discuss its concerns and come up with a mitigation plan.

The 2,075-acre development would be built on farmland and IGP said it would generate up to 500 megawatts of electricity — enough to power about 115,000 homes annually.

The government, which has the final say on the development, has been inviting public and stakeholder comments on the proposals.

RAF Marham is home to the F-35 Lightning jet, a stealth fighter.

The MoD said that light reflected from the solar farm could adversely impact the base's precision approach radar. Worries about pilots and ground crew being dazzled were also raised.

John Wilson spoke for the MoD's Defence Infrastructure Organisation at the hearing.

He said: "It's interesting that the applicant has identified the impact glint and glare is described as low.

"The MoD identifies it as yellow, this is the middle level of concern."

The MP for North West Norfolk, James Wild, pointed out that the strategic importance of RAF Marham was particularly relevant given the current conflict in Iran.

He asked Wilson if the MoD had ever opposed a development like this before.

He was told yes, that changes were requested to a planned solar farm near to the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton because of similar concerns.

The developer IPG said it "recognises the importance of this matter" and was working with the MoD to find a solution.

It told the hearing that "we have identified that many of the issues raised (by the MoD) are technically possible", but they suggested that may not have an operational impact.

They stated that they were confident the concerns could be "overcome".

At the meeting Andrew Sierakowski, consultant planner at Norfolk County Council said he was monitoring the amount of farm land being developed for solar in the county.

He said 4,000 hectares (98,842 acres) had been earmarked or was already under development.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "Even in the most ambitious scenarios, solar would still occupy less than 1% of the UK's agricultural land - less than occupied by golf courses - while bringing huge benefits for the British public and our energy security.

"There are no hard targets for capacity in particular regions in place."

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