Decision on huge solar farm on Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border DELAYED again
The decision has now been delayed three times
Last updated 7th Mar 2024
A decision on plans to build a massive solar farm on the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk border have been delayed for the third time.
The Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has confirmed the new deadline will be 11th of April.
In a statement she said: "The current statutory deadline for the decision on the Sunnica Energy Farm application is 7 March 2024."
"I have decided to set a new deadline of no later than 11 April 2024 for deciding this application.
"The decision to set the new deadline for this application is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent."
The proposals drawn up by Sunnica, would see the farm cover 2,500 acres, making the site one of the biggest in Europe.
It would cover various sites including near Isleham in East Cambridgeshire, as well as West Suffolk towns and villages like Mildenhall, Worlington and Freckenham.
A decision on Sunnica's application was meant to be made by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero last September.
This was pushed back to December before a further delay to March 7.
What does Sunnica want to achieve?
Sunnica want to build the solar farm across three different sites.
The plans include building solar photovoltaic panels across several fields and each site would be connected to each other by underground cables that link to the National Grid at Burwell substation.
Sunnica Limited says the project will power 172,000 homes and create 1,500 jobs during construction.
The company hopes the proposals would help the government's target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
A spokesperson for Sunnica added: "We expect Sunnica to create a net gain in biodiversity.
"We have committed to establish and fund an Ecology Advisory Group that would oversee and monitor ecological matters relating to Sunnica Energy Farm during its operating life."
Why is the Sunnica solar farm controversial?
Communities in East Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk were left fearful of the potential impact of the project on the landscape, as well as local farmland.
Concerns have also been raised over the appearance of that farmland if the plans went ahead, the loss of land for food growth and the impact on people's mental health.
Cambridgeshire County Council, Suffolk County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and West Suffolk Council disagree with the proposals.
Some of the most notable figures to fight the plans are MP for South East Cambridgeshire Lucy Frazer and West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock.
Ms Frazer has previously said more risk assessments would be needed for the amount of lithium ion batteries used for the solar farm.
Meanwhile, Mr Hancock has said: "I am a strong supporter of solar energy but Sunnica's development is in completely the wrong location.
"If it's given the go ahead, it will turn our beautiful Suffolk villages into industrial zones."
What else has been said about the plans?
Catherine Judkins is chair of the Say No To Sunnica group:
"This scheme is scary in its size and scale; it stretches about 15 miles from one end to the other, it affects 16 parishes and towns along its route, it removes people's sense of place, it impacts their health and wellbeing," she said.
"We know it doesn't have to be this way or no way; what we're saying is yes let's have solar, let's have it in the right place, let's make it sustainable in harmony with communities, wildlife and the environment."
Jethro Gauld is chair of the East Cambs Climate Action Network group:
"In the context of energy security, people's rising energy bills and our climate targets, it should be approved; we hope that Sunnica tries to do a better job at demonstrating their intentions in how they plan to benefit the local community," he said.
"It's really important to engage with communities early on so there's not this sense this project is being hoisted on them."