As World leaders gather in Glasgow for COP26 to agree further action to tackle climate change, EDF Renewables is submitting a planning application to install a 49.9MW solar farm – Bloy’s Grove – between the villages of Swainsthorpe and Mulbarton, just south of Norwich, which will be capable of generating enough low carbon electricity for the average needs of 14,600 south Norfolk households annually.
It comes after the project team received valuable feedback from local stakeholders and residents during an extended 10 week public consultation period which came to an end on the 11 January. EDF Renewables has also carried out environmental impact assessments and taking these and the feedback received into account has now refined its plans and submitted a planning application to South Norfolk Council. The council will now consider the application and carry out their own public consultation on EDF Renewables’ plans, before reaching a decision.
Among growing concerns around climate change, which was clear in the consultation responses, the 49.9MW Bloy’s Grove project could contribute to saving around 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The project will also deliver significant additional local benefits. If planning permission is granted, a community fund of £20,000 will be paid annually for the 35 year lifetime of the project, double the sum proposed during the consultation period.
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