A highly-cautious welcome has greeted Elmya Energy’s decision to pause its proposed White Elm Solar Farm in Suffolk.
Elmya RPC UK is proposing a 675-acre solar farm, stretching across the parishes of Mendlesham, Wickham Skeith and Thwaite, one of two huge schemes being opposed by Suffolk County Council, alongside EcoPower’s plans for a 1,500-acre one in the north of the county.
Elmya has halted its plans indefinitely, but in a statement, Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs, said: “Suffolk County Council had made it very clear that we would object to the White Elm Solar Farm if, as seemed to be proposed, some of Suffolk’s best quality farmland was to be taken out of food production to build it.
“While I am pleased to see the plans put on hold, we are yet to hear why they have chosen to do so. My fear is this, or a very similar scheme, may resurface if and when the Government’s proposed changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill go through.
“These changes will allow projects like this to be forced through without any statutory consultation, so councils like Suffolk County Council, and the communities we represent, will have even less say.”
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