Campaigners feel 'powerless' over future of East Pye solar farm
Campaigners speaking at a series of open floor hearings on the future of a 2,700-acre (about 1,000-hectare) solar farm say they feel powerless and dismissed.
Six months of hearings began on Tuesday on the future of the East Pye solar farm which, if approved, would be built on land near Long Stratton in Norfolk and would generate enough power for 115,000 homes.
Developer Island Green Power (IGP), said the solar farm would help the UK reduce its carbon emission and meet net zero targets.
But Sandra Mullet, who lives in Great Moulton, said: “There is a genuine sense of grief and fear in our communities. You have made us feel powerless, but we are not — and we should not — be dismissed as such.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said that more than 60 people spoke during two open floor hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday at Dunston Hall in Norwich.
The project will stretch across a number of villages including Hempnall, Great Moulton and Saxlingham Nethergate.
Andrew Turner/BBCThe Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council, Daniel Elmer, said the district had already accommodated several major infrastructure projects, including renewable energy schemes.