Protesters go hand-in-hand to unite against solar farm bid

Villagers set to be affected by plans to build one of the UK’s biggest solar farms near Long Stratton staged a protest last weekend.

Campaigners formed a human chain across a village footpath on the outskirts of Shotesham to protest against the East Pye development.

The proposals for the solar farm will cover 2,700 acres around several villages close to Long Stratton, including Hempnall and Great Moulton.

The protest was organised by the action group Block East Pye Solar and brought 150 families to the village to make their fears of losing countryside heard.

Norfolk’s solar stock is set to increase by 17,000 acres under proposals for five huge solar farms across the county – equivalent to almost 10,000 football pitches.

The East Pye scheme, which has been put forward by energy firm Island Green Power, will cover fields across several villages, including Saxlingham, Shotesham, Brooke, Woodton, Hempnall and Great Moulton.

Due to the size of the project, the final decision will rest with Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, rather than South Norfolk Council, the planning authority.

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