A woman grieving the loss of her father is facing the prospect of a large solar farm being built just 50 feet from his idyllic cottage, a property she fears will become unsellable. Derek Jessett, who lived in the cottage for 54 years in a conservation area in Saxlingham Green, Norfolk, had previously been denied permission to install solar panels on his roof.
After Mr. Jessett's death in April at age 88, his children began preparations to sell the property, known as Pisces, which was valued at approximately £425,000. However, they were dismayed to learn of the proposed East Pye solar scheme. This project aims to cover 2,718 acres of farmland across ten sites in Norfolk, with some 14-foot-high solar panels potentially situated only 50 feet from the cottage. The adjacent road is also slated for use by the developer, Island Green Power, for transporting heavy machinery and construction materials.
Dawn Chrystal, 67, Mr. Jessett's daughter, expressed her concerns that the potential disruption and visual blight would make the cottage difficult to sell. "One of the things that appealed when Dad came here was what a beautiful spot it was. It was so peaceful and quiet," she told the Mail. "There are open views of the fields at the back of the house and this is going to spoil it. All you'll see is the solar farm."
She added that the property, parts of which are believed to date back around 500 years, could remain on the market for an extended period due to buyer apprehension regarding the proximity of the solar farm. "This will affect the value of houses. If this one was worth £425,000 and they're going to put that on my doorstep, would I pay £425,000?" Chrystal questioned.
The East Pye solar farm is intended to generate approximately 500MW of power. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2028 and conclude two years later, with full operation expected by 2031. The project has attracted nearly 2,000 formal objections, with the majority expressing opposition. Because the scheme is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the final decision rests with the Energy Secretary.
South Norfolk Council, which includes Saxlingham Green, had previously documented its intention to protect the conservation area from further development in 2018. A council spokesperson noted that while local decisions could prevent certain developments, the approval of the large-scale solar farm falls under the Secretary of State's purview. The council reportedly opposes the East Pye scheme due to its impact on agricultural land and highlighted that similar large-scale solar projects are planned elsewhere in Norfolk.
The development consent order sought by Island Green Power could, in some circumstances, allow for compulsory purchase of land. Mr. Jessett's children only became aware of the project last month when a neighbor informed them of an official notice posted in a nearby village.
An East Pye spokeswoman stated that the company does not intend to compulsorily purchase any homes or gardens and that a "Book of Reference" has been established to ensure affected individuals are informed and can participate in the planning process.