Councillors have rejected plans for a solar farm spanning over 2,700 acres. 

East Cambridgeshire District Council’s (ECDC) planning committee voted against the proposals, drawn up by energy firm Sunnica, on November 3. 

The solar farm, which aims to generate in excess of 50MW of renewable electricity, would stretch to 2,792 acres. 

Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, told councillors that the size of the plans would have a major impact on residents. 

“The sheer size and poor design by the applicant will enclose those neighbourhoods,” said Ms Frazer. 

“This has many implications, not just once the solar farm has been built but during the construction phase, such as the loss of visual amenity.” 

Ely Standard: MPs Lucy Frazer and Matt Hancock have previously campaigned against Sunnica's plans.MPs Lucy Frazer and Matt Hancock have previously campaigned against Sunnica's plans. (Image: Autumn Scott/Say No to Sunnica)

 

Sunnica’s plans would cover the villages of Isleham, Burwell, Chippenham, Kennett and Snailwell, as well as Freckenham and Worlington in Suffolk. 

The proposals would feature multiple fields of solar photovoltaic panels and battery energy storage infrastructure.  

These would then connect to each other and the Burwell National Grid substation by an underground cable. 

A report by case officer Andrew Phillips found that the solar farm has “the potential to power the electricity of approximately two-thirds of all homes in Cambridgeshire for the next 40 years. 

“That scale of renewable energy production is undoubtedly a benefit of the scheme, though it is also worth establishing the ‘lifetime’ greenhouse gas emissions arising from the scheme,” he said. 

Ely Standard: Sunnica's solar farm plans would stretch across parts of Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.Sunnica's solar farm plans would stretch across parts of Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. (Image: Ely Standard)

The solar farm is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project as it can generate up to a maximum of 500MW. 

This means a decision on whether or not to grant permission for the site to be built lies with the government’s Planning Inspectorate, not ECDC. 

A written representation from ECDC will be sent to the Inspectorate, with a review expected to finish in March next year. 

A spokesperson for Sunnica said the firm was disappointed with the council’s decision, saying the plans would help the government’s target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

“Our proposals are currently undergoing an independent examination, expected to conclude in March 2023,” said the spokesperson.  

“The final decision on whether the scheme can proceed will be made by the secretary of state; we expect this to happen in late 2023.”