This bird’s-eye view photograph shows how a major solar farm is taking shape on the fields of Norfolk.
The picture, taken by aerial photographer Mike Page, shows the solar panels which are being constructed at Bloy’s Grove – a 200-acre site off Brick Kiln Lane, between Mulbarton, Newton Flotman and Swainsthorpe.
EDF Renewable’s plans for the 49.9 MW solar farm were approved by South Norfolk Council’s planning committee in June 2022, amid opposition.
Concerns were raised about the loss of agricultural land and the impact of construction traffic, but the committee agreed the plans by five votes to three.
Network Rail has struck a deal with the energy firm for electricity generated at the solar farm, which is close to the Norwich to London railway line, to be used to power its stations, offices and depots across the country.
As Mr Page’s photograph shows, many of the solar panels are already in place, while the framework of the arrays which will hold them have also been constructed.
The solar farm is one of a number of such schemes which have been agreed or proposed on fields across Norfolk.
Countryside charity CPRE Norfolk – which recently posted drone footage of the site on its YouTube channel – says the Bloy’s Grove scheme, on 200 acres of land, is just a fraction of the size of some of the schemes.
But they say it gives an idea of what the future could hold if other, bigger, projects are approved.
Earlier this month, villagers in Hempnall packed a public meeting to make clear that they want the parish council to oppose proposals 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.
But critics are concerned about the loss of farmland, along with the visual and environmental impact on the countryside.
That scheme and others, such as the 4,000-acre High Grove solar farm stretching from Dereham to Castle Acre and the Droves Solar Farm, between Castle Acre and Swaffham, are considered to be Nationally Significant Infrastructure project.
That means a planning inspector – rather than elected councillors – will consider the applications and make a recommendation to energy secretary Ed Miliband, with whom the final decision rests.
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