Norfolk villagers face compulsory purchase orders for their homes to make way for large solar farms

Norfolk residents face an uncomfortable clash: their homes could be acquired for the proposed East Pye Solar Project, a vast 2,500-acre development vital for national climate targets.

The situation highlights a growing tension where the pursuit of green energy, like solar panel farms, directly impacts local communities and the rural environment.

Locals, who often support renewable power, are now challenging whether sacrificing homes and productive land is the truly "green" path forward.

The human cost of green energy

Dozens of residents, including 89-year-old Yvonne Davy, received letters from the developer's lawyers stating their properties "may be required."

Davy, a solar panel owner herself, felt "absolutely appalled," vowing, "They'll get my property over my dead body."

Beyond potential acquisition, families worry about their quality of life. Chris Humphrey, whose home would be surrounded by 3.5-metre-high panels, stated, "I'm completely for solar panels... but it has to be on rooftops and not on fields."

Another resident Joanna Young said "it only powers 115,000 homes! What a waste of land. One small nuclear reactor could power 1,000,000 homes and only requires a handful of acres".

Hempnall Parish Council Chairman David Hook expressed fears of the "industrialisation of large areas of attractive, tranquil countryside," calling it a "precious national asset."

First UK residents to face compulsory purchase of homes for solar farm | SWNS - YouTube

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Farmland vs solar power

The East Pye project, intended to power 115,000 homes, is part of a larger trend of massive solar proposals in Norfolk.

Resident Robert Eagle questioned the project's vast scale, reportedly "10 times larger than the next biggest solar farm in the UK," asking, "Where is the food going to come from?"

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig echoed this, condemning the "creeping abuse" of countryside and valuable agricultural land. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) advocates for solar on "rooftops... not on productive agricultural land and open landscapes."

While the solar industry points to biodiversity benefits, the sheer scale of Norfolk's proposed farms underlines a significant conflict between energy goals and rural preservation.

Developer claims under fire

Developer Island Green Power calls their letters a "statutory obligation" and states they aim to avoid a compulsory purchase order.

However, locals report feeling "harassed" by phone calls, questioning the developer's approach. David Hook also highlighted a key discrepancy: the developer claims East Pye is "crucial for meeting climate targets to triple solar power by 2030," yet its grid connection date is reportedly for 2031.

With three-quarters of initial consultation respondents opposing the plan, and concerns about developer tactics, East Pye exemplifies the complex challenges of the UK's net-zero transition impacting local communities.