Plans for what could become the UK’s largest solar farm have sparked growing concern among residents in parts of rural Norfolk, where villagers say they are being asked to consider selling their homes to make way for the project.
At least 24 properties in Hempnall, Saxlingham and Tasburgh are thought to be affected by the proposals for the East Pye Solar Project, a 2,500-acre scheme designed to power up to 115,000 homes. If approved, the development would see panels stretch across an area equivalent to 1,762 football pitches.
Some residents have now received multiple letters and phone calls from Dalcour Maclaren, the agent acting for the developer Island Green Power, asking for personal financial details. For many, it has come as an unwelcome shock.
“I wasn’t very pleased when they rang me at the seaside,” said Yvonne Day, 89, who has lived in Hempnall since 1973. “I understand we are in dire straits and we need to do something about global warming. But where is the food going to come from?”
Island Green Power says the scheme is vital for helping the UK meet its climate targets, with government policy aiming to triple solar capacity by 2030. The scale of the project means it is considered a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), which could allow the developer to use compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to acquire land and homes.
If that happens, it would be the first time in the UK that domestic properties could be taken for a solar project.
Growing unease in the villages
The proposal has sparked protests and a flurry of objections to South Norfolk Council, with many residents describing the approach taken by the developers as aggressive.
“I’ve had four letters, and my wife has had some addressed to her – and an email,” said Mr Eagle, a resident of Hempnall for 27 years. “I felt as if we were being chased for a reply and quite unreasonably.”
Hempnall Parish Council has voiced its concerns, warning of the lasting impact on the countryside.
“Their construction would result in the industrialisation of large areas of attractive, tranquil countryside,” said council chairman David Hook. “The loss of good quality agricultural arable land is also a major concern.”
South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough says he has written to the developers after being contacted by worried constituents but is still awaiting a response.
A wider trend across Norfolk
The East Pye proposal is one of five large-scale solar farms currently planned in Norfolk. Together, they would cover 17,000 acres of land – nearly eight times the area of existing solar farms in the whole county. The largest, a 5,000-acre site near Gissing, is expected to produce 900 megawatts of electricity.
Other schemes include High Grove (4,000 acres), the Droves (2,800 acres), and an unnamed 2,500-acre site near Long Stratton. The rapid expansion of solar across the county has led to concerns that Norfolk is being disproportionately targeted for renewable infrastructure.
According to Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, the scale and pace of development raise serious questions.
“We’re witnessing a sudden gold rush for solar farms at the expense of farmland, food security and rural wellbeing,” she said. “Decisions are being made with no common sense or thought for the long-term repercussions.”
Balancing net zero with community impact
Few would argue against the need to accelerate the UK’s transition to renewable energy. But as these large schemes progress, many are asking whether the right locations are being chosen, and whether communities are being fairly involved.
Labour MP Terry Jermy, who represents South West Norfolk, said the pressure on farmland is creating unintended consequences.
“Losing high-quality farmland to solar farms weakens food security,” he said. “Many of these projects are driven by struggling farmers who see solar leases as a lifeline. We must explore alternatives, such as rooftop solar, to reduce the burden on agricultural land.”
That view is echoed by campaigners and researchers, who argue the UK’s rooftops – including warehouses, factories, office blocks and schools – remain an underused resource for solar energy. Expanding rooftop solar, they say, could deliver significant capacity without the need to convert farmland or disrupt rural communities.
Looking ahead
As planning for these projects moves forward, the final decision will rest not with local councils but with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. National policy is clear: the UK must accelerate investment in clean energy. But how that transition happens – and who bears the cost – is far from settled.
In the meantime, the residents of Hempnall and nearby villages are left in limbo.
“They’ll get my property over my dead body,” said Yvonne Day. “It would be dreadful.”
Her words reflect not just a personal objection, but a wider anxiety felt in many rural areas – that a green future is being built without them at the table.
Yes, the transition to renewable energy is urgent. But for it to be fair, the burden must be shared, not borne by a few. Rooftops remain plentiful. Our countryside does not.
This article is based on a report by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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