Anti-solar group fears voices will not be heard

The energy park would be the size of about 1,800 football pitches

Campaigners are concerned local voices will not be heard over plans for a giant solar farm that could power 200,000 homes.

Energy firm Aukera is behind the Tasway Energy Park proposal for a site near Long Stratton, in Norfolk, which would cover 3,600 acres and generate 700 megawatts.

The Stop Tasway Solar campaign has raised concerns about the loss of farmland, "industrialisation of the countryside", and claimed local views would be ignored by central government, which would approve or reject the application instead of the the local council in this case.

Steve Milburn, from Aukerer, said: "It's very important the community engage with the project and we want to hear from them."

Myles Jeeves, from the campaign group, said there was "a huge amount of worry and sadness" and fields would be replaced by "a carpet of concrete and glass".

"I think given the scale of it — we are not talking a couple of panels in a field, but a power station — the bigger concern is there isn't a viable route for criticism of this because it's going to go to Ed Miliband," he said.

Due to the size of the project, the final approval would rest with Miliband's Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).

Steve Milburn he was confident the "best and most versatile land" would be protected

Earlier this month the department approved a similar-sized project in Lincolnshire, with the secretary of state concluding the benefits of the proposed development outweighed any potentially adverse impacts.

The decision marked the 17th nationally-significant "clean" energy project approved by the government since July 2024.

Several major energy projects were already planned for south Norfolk, including the 2,700-acre East Pye solar farm, a solar site at Gissing and a large battery energy storage (BES) site at Rushall.

There are also plans for a 114 mile (184km) stretch of pylons which would run through the Long Stratton area between Norwich and Tilbury, in Essex.

South Norfolk's Labour MP Ben Goldsborough has said another solar farm was "unfair on residents".

A DESNZ spokesperson said: "Solar is the cheapest power – getting us off fossil fuels and delivering energy security so we can get bills down for good.

"All projects are subject to rigorous planning processes, and the views of the local community must be taken into account."

Aukera is holding a Phase 1 consultation virtually, with in-person events in Ashwellthorpe, Forncett St Mary, Bunwell and Tacolneston.

Mr Milburn, the firm's senior project development manager, said the Tasway project was in its early days, but a planning application was due to be submitted in 2027.

He said demand for electricity was at an "all time high" and was projected to double by 2050.

"We will endeavour to design a project which is sensitive to local community needs," he said.

"[Tasway would] make a significant contribution not only to the nation's energy security but also to the government's ambitious greenhouse gases net zero target."

With regard to safety concerns around the battery storage systems (BES) he said they would have automated fire suppression systems which would extinguish electrical fires within the enclosures.

"We are confident we can achieve the project while protecting the best and most versatile land," he added.