East Cambridge council set out plans to oppose Sunnica solar project
East Cambridgeshire District Council say they're considering a legal challenge following the secretary of state's solar farm decision
Last updated 7th Aug 2024
In response to the recent decision by Secretary of State Ed Miliband to approve the Sunnica solar farm, East Cambridgeshire District Council has sought independent legal advice to assess the viability of a Judicial Review.
The council has collaborated with Suffolk County and West Suffolk councils, which also obtained independent legal opinions. All three councils have received consistent advice indicating that there are no substantial grounds to overturn the decision.
However, they have identified an opportunity to challenge the funding mechanism necessary for completing the final stages of the project.
The four councils affected, including Cambridgeshire County Council, have formally notified the Secretary of State of their intention to challenge the funding mechanism.
Cllr Anna Bailey stated, “We are heartbroken and extremely saddened that our options for challenging the Government’s decision to go ahead with Sunnica have come to an end.”
She continued, “It is extremely disappointing that after years of making the clear case that a solar farm of this magnitude is in the wrong place and winning that argument at the hearing, the Secretary of State decided to grant a development order against the wishes of the community, the four affected councils, and against the expert advice of the Examiner.”
Cllr Bailey highlighted, “There is currently no direct benefit to our communities from this site. It is deemed to have a significant impact on our communities, and there are also biodiversity concerns. Added to this, unlike other solar farms, residents will not benefit from cheaper energy, nor will the council receive any potential business rates income from the facility.”
She added, “This council is completely supportive of renewable energy. This has been demonstrated by our approval of renewable energy schemes on land outside of Burwell and Soham over the past few years. But it’s imperative such schemes are in the right place and are right for the communities in which they are located.”
The council’s focus will now be on mitigating the impact of the facility. “We will work with Sunnica to ensure biodiversity and management of the ecology on site is not an afterthought and get round the table to identify added benefits Sunnica can bring to communities affected by the solar farm,” said Cllr Bailey.
The council also plans to lobby the government to secure business rates for the local authority. “There remains a long road ahead, but the council is committed to holding Sunnica and the government to account,” Cllr Bailey concluded.
Sunnica say they're "immensely pleased with the decision by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to grant development consent for Sunnica Energy Farm.
"Sunnica would make a nationally significant contribution towards the UK’s legal obligation to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and its ongoing energy security.
"This important milestone and the decision by the Secretary of State has come after many months of intense scrutiny and robust engagement with the planning process, and wider public consultations.
"We will now move forward towards the implementation phase, ultimately allowing us to create clean renewable energy for the UK, and look forward to meeting with local authorities and the wider community to plan the next steps".