Sunnica solar farm on Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border approved

The Secretary of State for Energy has approved construction of a 2,500-acre solar farm.

The £600m Sunnica energy farm on the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk border has been given the green light.

New Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband has said solar power is “critical to achieving net zero emissions”.

Mr Miliband added that solar power would be “a bountiful source of cleaner, cheaper energy in the mission to 2030”.

“We will take the tough decisions with ambition and urgency – all part of our plan to make the UK a clean energy superpower,” he said.

The approval documents detail that “the benefits of the proposed development outweigh its adverse effects”, despite many objections.

Richard Rout, of Suffolk County Council, said he was “shocked” by the decision and that it was a “huge blow” to the area.

“The voices of thousands of local residents, entrepreneurs and organizations have not been heard,” he said.

“This plan will have a lasting and detrimental impact on the landscape of much of West Suffolk and will deprive thousands of acres of food production land.”

East Cambridgeshire District Council has also previously expressed opposition.

A decision on the controversial plans was originally due to be made in September last year.

Sunni said in a statement on Friday that she was “extremely pleased.”

“This important milestone and the Secretary of State’s decision comes after many months of intensive scrutiny and engagement in the planning process, as well as wider public consultation.

“We will now move into the implementation phase, which will ultimately enable us to create clean, renewable energy for the UK, and we look forward to meeting with local authorities and the wider community to plan the next steps.”

The company said the farm could power 172,000 homes and create 1,500 jobs during its construction, while 27 employees could work full-time.

Sunnitsa said that once the project is complete, the land used will be cleared and returned to its original, largely agricultural, use.