Conflicting opinions arise on what Swaffham Town Council should do about opposing megafarm plans

Conflicting opinions were voiced on what a town council should do next regarding plans for a mega solar farm.

In general, Swaffham Town Council members agreed that the solar farm, which is big enough to power 363,000 homes, shouldn’t come to the area.

If given the go-ahead, it would be the biggest solar farm in the UK and would be built on land around Swaffham and Breckland.

Swaffham Town Council recently held a meeting with other authorities, including neighbouring parish councils, to discuss what to do next.

However, Swaffham Mayor Paul Darby said the council “needs to get its act together” to form a plan to protest against the solar farm.

“This council needs to make up its mind as to whether we are going to object to this and fight this or sit back and let it happen,” said Cllr Darby.

“I propose that we fight it, this is so massive. 4,000 acres in our area and 17,000 acres in Norfolk, that is a heck of a lot. We have got to put our foot down.”

He added: “I know we will be up against the Government. I hope the rest of the council will back it and fight it as much as we can.”

All councillors apart from Cllr John Zielinski voted in favour of fighting against the solar farm proposals.

Cllr Zielinski said that before fighting against energy company RWE’s plans, the council should see if they can get more funding for the town from the company.

Previously, RWE said that it would provide £11.5million over 40 years to the Breckland area in annual payments.

Cllr Zielinski suggested that Swaffham Town Council challenge this and try to get more money from RWE, which could be used to benefit the town.

“You will be opposing this, but you must look at what you can get out of them. They are offering £11.5 million, we want twenty times that,” he said.

Cllr Zielinski also suggested going to other authorities who have battled similar plans to ask them for advice.

Cllr Darby pointed out that if the solar farm plans were approved, the energy produced by it would not be supplying homes local to Breckland.

“The amount they [RWE] want to give to the local community is peanuts,” he said.

Cllr Caroline Ellerbeck added: “The loss of farmland will mean more imports of food.”

Cllr Darby added: “I think all councils are on the same level. Hopefully, we can all join together. Let’s see what happens.”