Farmers Challenge Solar Project's Impact on Agricultural Land

Farmers in Woodton, near Bungay, are voicing concerns about the proposed East Pye Solar project, which includes a 50-meter-wide cable corridor threatening to disrupt their agricultural activities. The East Pye Solar development, spanning 2,718 acres across ten sites, aims to support the UK's net zero targets by providing clean energy to approximately 115,000 homes annually.

Rebecca Mayhew, who operates Old Hall Farm with her husband Stuart, explained that the cable corridor would cross their grazing land, affecting their 300-head dairy cattle. She stated, "There's going to be a swathe of land, 50 meters wide, which will have to be fenced off for up to two years." This would limit access to less than 100 of their 500 acres of grazing land.

Mrs. Mayhew is particularly worried about the loss of grazing areas and the impact on milk production, estimating a potential loss of £1,500 per paddock. Despite attempts to negotiate access across the corridor, she noted, "It’s completely non-consensual, and they don’t know the answers."

Beyond the farming impact, ecological concerns have also been raised, particularly regarding protected species like newts and butterflies. Mrs. Mayhew criticized the planning, saying, "If you’re going to take what can be very productive, very good farmland out of agricultural production, it’s got to be a really good scheme to warrant doing it."

The East Pye Solar project, designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, will be decided by Ed Miliband, the net zero secretary, rather than local officials. More than 2,000 people have participated in a public consultation, with the majority objecting to the plans.

A spokesperson for East Pye Solar stated that they are engaging with landowners to minimize disruption, exploring solutions such as livestock crossing points and maintaining water supplies. The project’s impact on agriculture and ecology is under assessment, with mitigation measures being identified.