The Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council has expressed her extreme disappointment following today’s news the Sunnica solar farm has received approval from the Secretary of State.

The council, along with hundreds of local residents, has long been a vociferous objector to the plans for the massive solar farm which will span well over 900 football pitches.

It believes the site will have a significant negative impact on people living in the East Cambridgeshire villages of Isleham, Chippenham, Kennett and Snailwell, as well as Freckenham and Worlington in Suffolk, as well as the natural and historic environment of the local area.

Together with Cambridgeshire County Council, Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council it is also concerned about the site’s impact on biodiversity and local economy.

It was because of its sheer size that the planning application had to be decided by the Secretary of State in the first place.

The Council will be reviewing this decision carefully in the next few days to see how the decision was made. In addition, the Council will need to see what requirements will now become our legal responsibility to discharge on behalf of the Secretary of State once a developer comes forward seeking to build this energy farm.

Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are heartbroken and extremely disappointed the new Secretary of State has seen fit to sideswipe the views of four councils and hundreds of local residents and businesses to agree to these proposals.

“This council is completely supportive of renewable energy. This has been demonstrated by our approval of renewable energy schemes on land outside of Burwell and Soham over the past few years.

“But it’s imperative such schemes are in the right place and are right for the communities in which they are located.

“This massive development will span over 900 football pitches and have a significant negative impact on people living in Isleham, Chippenham, Kennett and Snailwell.  There are no benefits whatsoever for local people arising from this development.

“As a consequence, this council unanimously agreed not to the support the development during a special hearing of the planning committee on 3 November 2022.”