Here are some of the most controversial plans of the year that were approved, rejected and protested:
Protest against power lines across East Anglia
Hundreds of people gathered to protest against plans to build a 112 mile-long power line across East Anglia in September.
The gathering on the Norfolk and Suffolk border was against National Grid's contentious proposal to install the 50 metre tall pylons, stretching from Dunston, near Norwich, to the south east.
The power company - which consulted over the Norwich to Tilbury project in the summer - said the scheme is needed to take energy from wind farms off the Norfolk coast to increase supply as demand increases.
But campaigners say the towering structures will have a devastating impact on the countryside and communities in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.
They say not enough has been done to explore alternative options, such as putting the cables offshore, under the sea.
The National Grid says an offshore grid would be costlier to energy bill-payers and have less capacity.
Plans for almost 300 new homes Needham Market dismissed
An appeal for 279 new homes off Barking Road in Needham Market was dismissed after an inspector decided it would place too much pressure on local services, as well as create noise and pollution.
The decision notice was issued on Friday, March 31, after an eight-day public inquiry in February by Planning Inspector Anne Jordan.
Needham Market Town Councillor Martin O’Shea said the town was "delighted" with the decision.
Mr O'Shea said: "We have a neighbourhood plan in Needham Market in place, and the planning inspector made a number of references to it in her decision notice. We were pleased by that because that means that what the residents feel about their town has been taken into account.
"I think this will form a precedent. The costs were awarded against the applicant which is quite unusual, but it is a sign of how strongly the inspector felt."
Anger after Burstall and Bramford solar farm approved
Villagers were left disappointed after contentious solar farms were approved following a developer appeal in September.
Cross-boundary plans were originally submitted to Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils in December 2020 for the installation of a solar farm on land south of Church Farm in Somersham and east of The Channel in Burstall.
The plans were approved by Babergh District Council, but were refused by Mid Suffolk District Council in February, prompting applicant Bramford Green Limited to appeal.
Mid Suffolk District Council did not wish to defend the reasons for refusal and, on August 29, the appeal was allowed by inspector Cullum Parker who also ordered the council to pay Bramford Green Limited the costs of the appeal proceedings.
Burstall parish councillor Samantha Main, who campaigned against the plans was left feeling “very disappointed”.
Shortly after this Mid Suffolk Council approved plans for a solar farm in Bramford
This solar farm is set to be located on 84 hectares of agricultural land off Tye Lane.
Bramford residents had previously issued objections in regards to the plans, which cover the loss of productive agricultural land, traffic problems on local roads, possible loss of jobs and setting a precedent for future development of the land.
However six Mid Suffolk coucnillors were in favour with only one against the scheme.
Campaigners lose appeal for Sizewell C judicial review
Campaigners fighting the decision to give the go-ahead for Sizewell C nuclear power station lost the latest stage of their legal battle with the Government earlier this month.
Action groups, had appealed at the Court of Appeal on the basis that the environmental impact of a desalination plant to provide a permanent water supply for the new nuclear power station had not been taken into account when approval was given but the appeal failed.
Over 160 homes approved in Halesworth
A contentious 161-home development on a hill in Halesworth was given the green light in February despite dozens of concerns being raised.
East Suffolk Council's planning committee north voted in favour of the reserved matters application for 161 homes on land south of Chediston Street in Halesworth.
The reserved matters application was approved despite councillors’ concerns about flooding, visual impact and lack of access options.
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