Our Main Objections

• The size of this development is completely inappropriate for our landscape of small villages and hamlets.
• Proposed solar fields and grid connection are too close to residential properties (less than 500m).
• The proposed Battery Energy Storage Systems (BES)S is inappropriately sited, prevailing wind directions have not been taken taken into account when selecting the location of this BESS to minimise the impact of a fire involving lithium-ion batteries, given the potentially toxic fumes it can produce.
• Significant negative impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
• Significant negative impact on heritage assets and their settings.
• Significant negative visual impact across a large area of South Norfolk.
• Potential for further development once infrastructure is installed.

Our Key Concerns

• Our communities: The proposal surrounds our villages and homes with vast solar fields, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) together with all the interconnectors required is on an entirely inappropriate scale.
• Our wildlife and biodiversity: This area is a priority and strategic zone for several protected species. It also contains Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). As a core woodland area, with ancient woodlands and nature reserves, it plays a crucial role in the Norfolk Green Infrastructure Plan for biodiversity, ensuring connectivity for migration.
• Our landscape character: The proposal would turn a peaceful, expansive landscape into a semi-industrial, utility-grade power complex.
• Our views: The solar arrays are proposed to a maximum height of 4.5 meters (including mounting structures). The fields will have security fencing and pole-mounted CCTV. Although Island Green Power has committed to screening solar fields with trees and hedging, it could take up to 15 years for native species to reach this height. The project will destroy our current views of open countryside.
• Our local heritage: The area is home to many heritage assets, including listed buildings and SHINE historic monuments, many of which will be directly impacted by this project.
• Our food security: The project will result in a significant loss of BMV arable land and agricultural productivity in our area. Combined with other losses or proposed losses of BMV land to solar power plants across Norfolk, this will negatively impact food security.
• Our public rights of way: Solar fields, the BESS & the connection to UK Power Network National Grid are proposed on land crossed by public footpaths and other public access routes.
• Our businesses: This project will have a significant negative impact on local businesses that depend on the enjoyment of the countryside and tourism.
• Our environment: The project is proposed for 60 years, but solar panels only have a lifespan of 25-30 years. All infrastructure will need to be replaced during the project's lifespan, causing significant waste and disruption. There are also risks of noise, light, chemical, and vibration contamination, BESS systems can generate up to 75Db per 200 containers, thermal runways from the Lithium Batteries release Toxic Gases into the air and our ground source water and rivers.
• Our roads: Many of the proposed sites are on small roads or lanes unsuitable for HGVs. The proposal will result in a significant increase in heavy traffic through our villages during construction, for maintenance and replacement of damaged and old solar panels and BESS Batteries.

East Pye Solar Timeline

East Pye Solar Key Dates