Concerned villagers packed a public meeting to make clear to a planning inspector that they want proposals for a massive solar farm on fields near their homes to be rejected.
About 200 people attended Hempnall Parish Council’s meeting to discuss how the village should respond to plans for the 2,718-acre East Pye Solar Farm.
Island Green Power’s scheme – which would be installed on fields close to the villages of Hempnall, Saxlingham, Shotesham, Brooke, Woodton and Great Moulton – would power approximately 115,000 homes a year.
It would be among the largest solar developments in the UK and has sparked opposition, with fears it will mean the loss of farmland and damage the region’s countryside.
Because the scheme is considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project, the final decision over it rests with energy secretary Ed Miliband.
He will make that decision after receiving a recommendation from an independent planning inspector, after they have considered representations and evidence about the application.
At Hempnall Parish Council’s meeting in the village hall on Friday (April 17) night, concerned villagers made their feelings clear – that they wanted the council’s submission to the inspectorate’s examination process to call for it to be rejected.
David Hook, chairman of Hempnall Parish Council, said: “There were a couple of hundred people there, which was an amazing turnout for a planning meeting.
“We got the view of local people – who told us their concerns about impacts on landscape, countryside, wildlife and food security – and every person there said they were against it.
“There wasn’t a single voice in favour and when we had a show of hands, everyone was absolutely against it.
“Parish councillors were already thinking that way, but after that vote on whether to recommend refusal, it means we know we have the support of the community.”
Mr Cook said the parish council will now draw up a detailed planning objection to submit to the inspectorate during the examination phase of the application.
People at the meeting were also told how they can register as interested parties with the Planning Inspectorate – a step they must take if they want their objections formally considered during the examination.
East Pye is one of a number of huge solar farms proposed for Norfolk, which also includes The Droves between Swaffham and Castle Acre and High Grove near Dereham.
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Editors’ Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
© 2001-2026. The Eastern Daily Press is owned and operated by Newsquest Media Group Ltd, an audited local newspaper network.
Visit newsquest.co.uk to view our policies, terms and legal agreements.
The Echo Building, 18 Albert Road, Bournemouth, England BH1 1BZ. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637
Data returned from the Piano ‘meterActive/meterExpired’ callback event.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.
