Lark Energy Holds Public Consultation on its Proposed 30MW Solar Farm at Ellough, Suffolk

A solar farm which could produce enough energy to power 7,000 homes is being proposed at Ellough airfield in Suffolk.

The solar farm would occupy 150 acres, producing around 30MW of clean and renewable electricity on an annual basis.  This is the equivalent of powering every home in Beccles and Worlingham for an entire year.

South Lincolnshire-based Lark Energy (part of the LarkFleet Group) is planning to develop the solar farm on the site.

Over 130 local residents attended a public exhibition to find out more about the proposals in September. There was a very positive response and Lark Energy are now addressing some of the issues that arose to ensure the proposed development has the minimum impact on the surrounding communities. 

The proposed site is close to a handful of residential properties and a number of measures will be used to ensure the solar panels are not highly visible.  Existing tree and hedgerow boundaries will be maintained and additional boundaries will be planted to provide visual screening.

A transport management plan is also being prepared in consultation with Suffolk County Highways as part of the solar farm planning application.  

Jo Wall, Development Director at Lark Energy, said: “The public exhibition provided us with an opportunity to talk with the local community about our plans and gather feedback before submitting any planning application. We were delighted with the response and will make sure we address all of the issues that were raised.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in planning and delivering solar farms which generate clean energy, whilst enhancing wildlife and conservation and recognising the importance of the character of a particular area.

“The solar farm will provide local jobs during the construction phase and once operational the maintenance of the site will need to be serviced by local companies.  We’re also aware of how close our proposed site is to the UK’s largest solar roof installation at the Promens plant and the overall strategic aim for the Ellough Industrial Estate to provide local jobs in renewable energy.  We hope that our plans marry with this and underline the local and Suffolk-wide commitment to renewable energy.”

Lark Energy has since submitted a planning application and, if given the go ahead, work on the solar farm could start later this year.

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Media enquiries to Nyree Ambarchian on 01733 207334 or nyree@athene-communications.co.uk

Notes to Editor

The number of homes is based on data from the Suffolk Observatory.  The most recent housing stock figures for Beccles is 4787 and Worlingham 1584 – making a combined total of 6,371 homes.