Local people register to speak at East Pye solar farm hearings
More than 60 people have registered to speak at the first in a series of hearings which will decide the fate of a proposed Norfolk solar farm.
More than 60 people have registered to speak at the first in a series of hearings which will decide the fate of a proposed Norfolk solar farm.
MPs, county, district and parish councillors, as well as local campaigners have all asked to speak at the open floor sessions determining the future of the 2,718-acre East Pye scheme.
The hearings, which get under way at Dunston Hall next Tuesday at 2pm, will allow locals to make their views on the scheme heard.
Forty-five people have been listed to speak in the first session.
Among those registered to speak are Adrian Ramsay, the MP for Waveney Valley, whose constituency covers Great Moulton and Tivetshall at the edge of the scheme.
Councillors due to speak include Tom Dickerson, of Norfolk County Council, Daniel Elmer, leader of South Norfolk Council and Kay Mason Billig, former leader of the county council.
Dawn Chrystal, who is trying to sell her late father’s home in Saxlingham Green – a crucial area for the project – is down to talk, as are campaigners from the Block East Pye Solar group.
A further 19 representations will be heard at 10am the following day.
That session will include speeches from Karl Catchpole, county councillor for Long Stratton, and Jim Webber, speaking on behalf of Shotesham Parish Council.
Those hearings will be preceded by a preliminary hearing which will set out the process of the examination.
On Wednesday, September 16, there will be an issue-specific hearing discussing the site selection, the draft development consent order (DCO) and the scope of the proposed development.
Another issue-specific hearing will take place on Thursday, September 17.
The sessions will start with a preliminary hearing on Tuesday morning, which will set out the process of the examination.
The scheme is classed as nationally significant due to its size, meaning David Cliff, the inspector, will make a recommendation to Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, who will have the final say.