Today Cambridgeshire County Council has joined with other local authorities affected by the Sunnica decision to call on the government to correct an error in planning permission that could otherwise cost local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Cambridgeshire County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council have agreed to send a legal letter to express their concern that Sunnica developers could avoid meeting the costs of the burden their plans for the UK’s largest solar farm will place on local authorities.
Developers Sunnica were granted permission for site over 2,400 acres, with more than 50MW of solar energy creation and battery storage on the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP on Friday, 12 July 2024.
Cambridgeshire County Council previously passed a motion at Full Council on the 20 July 2021 stating the authority’s opposition to Sunnica’s proposals.
Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, Councillor Lorna Dupre said: “We have already expressed our disappointment at the decision to grant permission for this large development, which will have a huge effect on residents and businesses as well as the local environment.
“The prospect of this huge development is of deep concern to those of us in East Cambridgeshire. Furthermore, an error within the planning approval has not accounted for the extensive technical and administrative input needed from the four local authorities affected by Sunnica’s proposals. This means that local people could not only face development all around them but could also be asked to pick up the tab for developers’ ambitions.
“These private company’s plans cannot be carried out at public cost to local taxpayers.”
Vice-chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, Councillor Nick Gay said: “Renewable energy is essential for our future. I’m pleased to see that the new government is taking the tough choices necessary for our energy security, but we must look to see that this administrative error is corrected as soon as possible, so our officers can work effectively with Sunnica, as we pursue a cleaner, greener future for everyone.”
Councillor Mark Goldsack, local member for Soham North and Isleham said: “We have been shocked by the Secretary of State’s decision to grant permission for Sunnica and the developer’s ambitions for an industrial scale energy farm spread across such vast swathes of our countryside.
“The Council’s legal challenge to the developers is a step in the right direction to challenge this decision and recognise the economic, environmental and personal cost to local people.”
Councillor Josh Schumann, local member for Burwell, whose ward includes Chippenham, Fordham, Kennett, Reach, Snailwell and Swaffham Prior said: “I am glad we’re taking action in response to the Sunnica decision.
“We are all very disappointed that the Secretary of State has given the go-ahead for the developer’s plans, when they have been so comprehensively opposed by the county council and other local authorities as well as MPs, businesses and residents from across the area.”
The development plans include ground-mounted solar panels and large-scale battery storage facilities across land near Burwell, Isleham, Chippenham, Fordham, Kennett and Snailwell in East Cambridgeshire as well as areas of West Suffolk. Sunnica have permission for a connection of up to 500MW at the Burwell National Grid Substation.
