A solar farm has been given the go-ahead in Suffolk which will provide enough electricity for more than 6,000 homes.
East Suffolk Council has granted Novus Renewable Services permission to install the solar panels and associated infrastructure on land to the east of Bucklesham.
In a design and access statement, the applicant's agents Wardell Armstrong said the development would save approximately 5,260 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year.
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Known as Bucklesham Solar Farm, the 25 hectare site is set to produce up to 27MW and is located to the east of the A1093 Brightwell Road on small to medium sized arable fields that are currently in arable agricultural use.
The solar panels, which will be 3.1m in height, are expected to last for 40 years and will be arranged in rows running from east to west and facing south to maximise sunlight exposure and the amount of electricity generated.
The agents said the plot was chosen because the ground was flat and open and there was a 'good level' of solar radiation.
A public consultation event was held at nearby Newbourne Village Hall, where concerns were raised about the visual impact of the site, the placement of the panels and the loss of agricultural land.
The statement added: "Global climate change is widely regarded as one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today.
"The principal cause is a rise in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a major contributor being the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity.
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"Renewable sources of energy are those that are not based on finite reserves stored within the earth.
"Using solar PV to generate electricity creates no CO2 or other pollutants and therefore does not contribute to climate changes or local air pollution.
"The development will provide a significant contribution towards renewable energy targets, not only locally but for the whole of the UK."
READ MORE: Suffolk news
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