South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy forms alliance with George Freeman over concerns about solar farms coming to areas including Swaffham

A West Norfolk MP is forming alliances with others to ensure rural villages’ concerns over solar farm plans are heard.

Terry Jermy, who represents South West Norfolk, has joined forces with Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman over shared worries for 19 villages across the area impacted by the plans.

In South West Norfolk, Necton, Ashill, Sporle, Swaffham, Gayton and Castle Acre are all being touted to be surrounded by solar farms.

The MPs have invited representatives from 19 villages, Norfolk County Council and Breckland District Council to discuss the scale of the development, the land use, environmental impact, and the importance of protecting productive agricultural land.

A further focus of the meeting will be to identify what the community benefits will be for the affected villages, and to ensure that a genuine consultation takes place so that each village has strong vocal representation.

Mr Freeman said: “This central Norfolk solar farm corridor is a very large proposal, currently the biggest proposed solar farm in the UK, which will have massive repercussions for our county, district and parishes.

“Because of its dispersed geography across such a vast area, it will directly affect 19 villages, include four onsite substations and a single off-site sub-station with a vast network of cabling and pylons to carry the energy to the rest of the country.

“Developers have not yet disclosed to the public the detailed locations of the infrastructure, which are still not in the public domain as a result of being designated national infrastructure and are yet to be determined, but the current plans show that the affected area is likely to run from east of Swaffham to Dereham and include five separate industrial solar hubs linked by cables.

“In light of the significant scale of these proposals, I have written to all the affected villages in my Mid Norfolk constituency and suggested that Terry Jermy and I work together to establish the Breckland Solar Farm Action Alliance in Norfolk to bring together local community representatives to work with developers and government authorities.

“The aim is to ensure that the concerns of local residents are adequately represented.

“Having witnessed firsthand the impact of green energy infrastructure on local communities over the past decade, especially through national infrastructure legislation that bypasses local planning and consultation processes - as demonstrated by the Necton substation - I am deeply concerned about the implications of the current solar farm proposals.

”While I support the transition to renewable energy, I have long opposed the loss of productive farmland and the detrimental effects on our agricultural sector, rural economy, natural habitats, and tourism.

“That is why I want to unite as a single voice for local residents. I am determined to safeguard our rural communities and rural way of life, ensuring Norfolk’s stunning landscapes, rich heritage and natural capital remain with us for generations to come.

“I would urge parish councils to attend the meeting.”

The meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 25. For more information about the meeting or to attend, contact George.freeman.mp@parliament.uk