Latest news with #ConservativeCouncil
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
South Norfolk Council attempts to guide mega solar farm plans
A council has put together a new guide for developers of mega solar farms amid fears the area is being "disproportionately targeted".South Norfolk Council's document will inform its response to proposals in the hope of "minimising adverse effects" on the area has been earmarked for several large projects, including what could be the biggest solar farm in the council leader Daniel Elmer said the district had become a "nexus" of energy infrastructure applications due to its flat landscape and location along a grid connection to London. "We don't want to be unreasonable, but we do want to make sure every proposal that comes forward works for the residents of South Norfolk as well as everyone else," he on large projects will be made by the government due to their size, the Local Democracy Reporting Service the authority is seeking to guide energy-related proposals include National Grid's pylon network from Norwich to Tilbury, Essex, running through villages such as Flordon and Winfarthing, as well as four huge solar are the East Pye project, set to span 2,700 acres (1,090 ha) across villages including Hempnall, Great Moulton and Saxlingham; an unnamed 5,000-acre (2,020 ha) project in Gissing; an unnamed 2,500-acre (1,010 ha) project near Long Stratton, and the Tasway Energy Park earmarked for 3,600 acres (1,460 ha).But plans for a huge battery storage facility across farmland in Rushall, near Diss, have just been "paused" by developers after opposition. 'Fair share' South Norfolk Council's supplementary planning document will help identify areas most at risk of being impacted by renewable energy schemes and find other suitable Wateridge, Green councillor for Bunwell, said: "The village is starting to look completely encircled – the news about Tasway was the final straw for many residents."I wholeheartedly support renewable energy projects, but every county across the country should be hosting its fair share."There is no doubt that South Norfolk is being disproportionately targeted by energy companies." South Norfolk Labour MP Ben Goldsborough recently faced criticism for opposing the Tasway Energy Park, despite having endorsed the East Pye project, barely a mile said he believed his constituency needed to "play its role" in the transition to green energy."But when we keep getting as many applications as this, we have to say, enough is enough," he could become the biggest solar energy producer in the country if the schemes all go ahead. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
First phase of £30m Plymouth's Armada Way revamp project to open
The first phase of a £30m regeneration project in Plymouth will open next to redevelop Armada Way sparked controversy in March 2023 when the then Conservative-run council ordered more than 100 trees to be cut down at night for the scheme was halted following an outcry from residents but was put back on track last year at more than double its original cost, and is to feature 169 new trees, a play area the size of five tennis courts, new walkways, cycle paths, seating and pop-up event project was moving "at pace" and within budget, city centre champion councillor Mark Lowry told the authority's cabinet on Monday. 'Very positive' Zone 1, from North Cross to Mayflower Street, which started last October, is almost finished and includes 10 extra trees lining each side of the performance three zones, along the boulevard which leads to the Hoe, are expected to be complete by June next said: "We do get caught up in trees for obvious reasons with this project and we wish it didn't start where it did. But we are moving on at pace, there is a very professional team up there now, and they have learnt from the hardship of doing Old Town Street and New George Street."The council's regeneration and placemaking manager, Martin Ivatt, said there was a "total change" in how people responded to the scheme since the other streets had been finished."It's gone from more adversarial to very friendly and very positive," he said. The new trees on Armada Way include 30 to 40-year-old magnolias, field maple, ginkgo and elm, which are resistant to Dutch elm disease; and Persian ironwoods, which change colour in autumn and have coloured is 1,000 sq m of wildflower turf in the first zone and 15,000 herbaceous perennials will be in place once it is will be granite and an ornamental rill will water the trees at night, and planned 'rain gardens' are part of a drainage system to stop bridges are to connect walkways with shops to stop interruption to them while work goes on underground.
