Local leaders call for energy developers to stop 'mistreating' Suffolk's communities
It comes amid controversy over a new solar project on the Suffolk / Cambridgeshire border
Suffolk County Council has written to the government - demanding communities in the county are shown 'more respect' during the planning process for things like new solar farms.
The local authority is concerned about plans for new pylons across the county - and also says villages on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border weren't given enough information about plans for a massive new solar project.
Councillor Richard Rout says our county is doing its bit for green energy, and that we should feel the benefits: "Suffolk plays a major role in the UK's drive for net zero and energy security.
"We'll be home to around 10% of the UK's green energy projects, and will generate upwards of 30% of the nation's energy here in East Anglia, but we use just 6%...
"There needs to be more of a compulsion for developers to coordinate their projects, so when we have lots of these schemes coming forward in the same area, they should be compelled to work together.
"There should also be compulsory community benefits for those hosting these schemes...
"That could be tangible benefits, it could be investment in things like insulation and energy efficiencies."
He's particularly critical of Sunnica - the company behind the development in West Suffolk: "They didn't hold briefings with some of the affected local parish councils, the online webinars were poorly promoted and run.
"They also refused to meet with local experts around the quality of land that's being taken out of farming."
The letter
This is Suffolk County Council's message in a letter to the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, published on Monday 17 July 2023.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, and signatory of the letter, said:
“The government has recognised Suffolk County Council as a Centre of Excellence when it comes to big energy schemes, we have a great deal of experience in this area. I want to continue to use this influence at the highest level to make sure that local communities are heard and respected at every stage of the application process.
“As a recent example of the mistreatment of our communities, we need look no further than the Sunnica solar farm application on the Suffolk / Cambridgeshire border. I have indicated to the Secretary of State that this is the worst application we have ever dealt with.
"We received numerous complaints from local people about Sunnica’s approach, from the poor quality of information provided, to their inability to respond at local events, and their lack of engagement with local, knowledgeable people.
“These projects put immense pressure on parish councils, businesses, and residents. But it’s my experience that these communities are rarely treated fairly by the developers...
“Developers must not think that doing the bare minimum for local communities is acceptable, with just a little funding and basic engagement. They must be held to higher standards and where projects proceed, people must feel some benefit in the place they live.
“They must involve communities from the earliest stages, forge positive relationships and find ways to work together, so that if consent is granted, we see a better and fairer project for all concerned.
“The Sunnica proposal is the worst example of what can go wrong. The developer rapidly instilled distrust and ill feeling in 14 local communities and multiple local authorities, both through the poor quality of their application and a failure to acknowledge local issues or recognise local expertise.”
Suffolk County Council recognises the extent and magnitude of the infrastructure required to deliver the Government’s Net Zero target and supports its ambitions. These projects must be executed quickly and efficiently, but not to the detriment of affected communities.
Sunnica's response
We've approached Sunnica - the company behind the solar farm in West Suffolk - for a statement.
They're yet to respond.