Campaign Overview
This website has been set up by local residents to share our concerns about East Pye Solar, which is being developed by Island Green Power, an international developer of renewable energy projects. East Pye Solar is a proposed solar development, comprising of thousands of acres of solar panels, a Battery Storage (BESS) and multiple electrical sub-stations that would cover a large area of rural South Norfolk.
Who We Are
Block East Pye Solar (BEPS) was formally established as an unincorporated association on 7 January 2026. It was established to represent environmental, community, heritage, and safety interests in relation to the proposed East Pye Solar Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) in South Norfolk.
BEPS operates in accordance with its Constitution with the following appointed officers:
- Dr Annetta Berry – Joint Chairman
- Keith Stubbings – Joint Chairman
- Phil Bates – Joint Association Secretary
- Sandra Mullett – Joint Association Secretary
- Gillian Marklew-Allen – Joint Treasurer
- Rob Hazell – Joint Treasurer
Members & Subject Matter Experts
BEPS members have specialist expertise and responsibilities across key areas:
| Name | Area of Responsibility | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Bates | Parish Councils, Maps & Visuals | Hempnall |
| Dr Annetta Berry | Research, Documentation, Ecology, Aviation, Hydrology | Topcroft |
| Jason Crawley | Heritage & Landscape | Shotesham |
| Mike Haslam | Planning & Legal | Saxlingham Nethergate |
| Robert Hazell | Fundraising | Saxlingham |
| Chris Humphrey | IT | Fritton |
| Gillian Marklew-Allen | Finance, Events, Press | Lundy Green |
| Helen McGrath-Doherty | Marketing | Woodton |
| Sandra Mullett | National Grid, BESS, Research | Great Moulton |
| Keith Stubbings | Membership, Volunteers, Newsletter, Website Coordination, Roadshows | Stratton St Michael / Long Stratton |
| TBA | Agriculture | N/A |
Our Beliefs
Balanced Planning
Renewable energy is vital to our future, but it must be developed through joined-up, evidence-based planning that prioritises ecological sensitivity, community wellbeing and landscape preservation.
Better Locations for Solar
Solar should be prioritised on rooftops, car parks, brownfield land, and unproductive sites, not on our Best and Most Versatile (BMV) farmland that sustains our rare ecology and rural livelihoods.
Our Vision
A South Norfolk where renewable energy and rural life thrive side by side and where progress doesn’t come at the expense of our wildlife, heritage, landscapes, and communities.
Key Concerns
- Loss of productive farmland
- Industrialisation of rural landscape
- Significant impact on rare and sensitive ecology
- Significant impact on nationally important architectural heritage
- Significant impact on well-being and livelihoods of local communities