Large Solar Farm Proposed In Bracon Ash

BRACON ASH

Bracon Ash is a small village in the heart of the Norfolk Countryside.  Residents of 4 surrounding villages, and often those from farther afield, come to Bracon Ash daily to enjoy walks, the wildlife, and the local community funded playground. It has a truly active community and parish spirit that organises a wide variety of events and fund-raising activities, and has successfully defended against other developments that would have also had a material adverse impact to the area.

The proposed development of an industrial fenced Solar Farm sits on arable land that is in direct view, and only 200 metres away from, a number of the village’s houses. Heavily used public rights of way, local wildlife, and ultimately the whole community will be impacted forever if the build of this Solar Farm is allowed to go ahead in its current size and form.

SCREENING APPLICATION

To date, this is a screening application and not a formal planning application.   Until it is submitted we will not be able to confirm the final proposal and / or make any formal challenge or objection.  

You can see the South Norfolk Council screening opinion documents for the solar farm here.   This is now closed for comment but if you have particular concerns, you could send a letter to South Norfolk Council to make them aware of your concerns with regards to any planning application which may be submitted (see latest news / info below for more information and contact details).  Although this will not be a formal objection, it will show the level of discomfort / feeling around any potential application.

It is not clear how long it will take from screening to planning application - it can be weeks, months or potentially longer.  It is important we remain alert for any application, even if it does take some time to be submitted.

FURTHER CONTEXT

At both a local and national level, planning policies and guidance are broadly supportive of Solar Farms provided there are NO significant adverse impacts on the landscape, ecology or heritage.

This is categorically not the case with this proposal.

Government subsidies have now been removed for solar farms and since this has happened the average size of a solar farm has moved from just 30 acres to 100 acres - this is a significant increase in size and therefore impacts of such developments -  sadly this proposal is not an exception.  

In addition, it is proposed that this Solar Farm will have 2 metre high fences running around the perimeter and security cameras will be required to help deter crime - something that is a known substantial risk of such a development.  The public right of way runs along both boundaries and bisects the site (requiring fencing either side of the right of way).

CONCERNS