More time for solar farm plans after 500 comments

The solar farm and battery storage would cover 220 acres across two sites in east Suffolk

A planning application for a solar farm has been extended to allow time to respond to a "significant number" of comments.

Quintas Cleantech (QC) submitted plans for a 220-acre site, along with battery storage, at Letheringham, Suffolk.

East Suffolk Council said: "As part of the consultation process, this application has received a significant number of comments from members of the public and statutory consultees."

It confirmed the planning application will now not be considered until after 27 February 2026.

As part of the planning process, organisations, stakeholders, and residents have the opportunity to give opinions on new proposals.

So far, the solar farm application has received 445 objections from members of the public, with 36 supportive comments submitted.

Local MP, Patrick Spencer, opposed the project. He currently sits as an Independent after having the Conservative whip removed over assault allegations, which he denies.

He said, if approved, it would see a "gross destruction of our natural habitat and the visual environment that defines this community".

Agents for the development, Pegasus Group, in a letter to the council, said it had agreed with the extension "to allow sufficient time to receive all outstanding comments, review/submit ongoing survey work and to provide a comprehensive response to the comments".

The government wants 95% of energy produced in the UK to be low-carbon by 2030.

Currently, projects that produced 50MW or higher were considered nationally significant infrastructure projects, and planning permission was decided by the government. This could increase to 100 MW next year.

Because the solar farm will produce 49.9 megawatts (MW) of electricity, the planning application will be decided by East Suffolk Council.

Jack Abbott MP, who represents Ipswich and is the government's mission champion for the East of England, said: "We must reduce our dependence on foreign-owned gas and start delivering more energy that we own in this country.

"Things like solar, wind and nuclear are not only good for the environment, increasing our energy security and producing jobs, they will also help lower energy bills."