Meeting hears views on the Droves solar farm plans

Public hearings are being held by the Planning Inspectorate into a project to build one of the largest solar farm schemes in the UK.

The Droves, which would cover an area equivalent of 1,175 football pitches, is earmarked for land between Swaffham and Castle Acre in Norfolk.

Concerns were raised at the meeting by locals about the scale of the project and the impact it would have on the distinctive environment of the Brecks.

The firm developing the plan, Island Green Power (IGP), said the panels were “temporary” and that the land could be returned to agricultural use within 60 years.

Clare Worden/BBC

The 2,075-acre development would be built on farmland close to Swaffham 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 comments on the proposals.

One of those who spoke at the Planning Inspectorate meeting was Tim Hubbard, the chair of Castle Acre Parish Council, who raised concerns about the scale of the project.