Third solar site bid for area near mega-farms plans
Getty ImagesAnother solar farm is set to be built on Norfolk countryside, despite several major renewable projects already planned for the nearby area.
The project on 236 acres (95 hectares) of land between Beeston and Gressenhall, near Dereham, has been approved by Breckland councillors.
However the planned 4,000-acre (1,619 hectares) High Grove Solar Farm will be just 900 metres from the nearest part of the Dykewood scheme, and both projects are going to be accessed by the same road.
Meanwhile, the 2,075-acre (1,133 hectares) Droves solar farm will be six miles west of the site.
GeographWhile the Dykewood project was approved at a planning meeting on Tuesday, questions were raised about how it would benefit local people.
Michael Westman, a Reform UK councillor, asked officials about what perks would be offered to the two communities affected.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the councillor for Thetford Priory said there was "little benefit" from what he could see.
Representatives of the developer have insisted there will be a community benefit fund of £10,000 per year for the 40-year lifetime of the scheme.
And council officials argued the community benefit was the provision of solar energy, with the scheme able to power 18,000 homes.
Councillors backed the proposals, with seven votes in favour and three against.
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The solar farm will be near the two far larger solar farms planned along the A47 corridor.
Because of their size and scale, final approval of those lies with the new energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Seven battery storage sites are also planned for the area.
The energy schemes form part of the government's drive to meet its ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2050.
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