The pledge follows increasing concern amongst residents about the rate at which landscapes are being transformed for energy generation.
Issuing a statement on 26th January 2026, Jane James, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Innovation, outlined plans to safeguard 16,000 acres of Norfolk County Council-owned farmland.
‘Norfolk has had too many solar farms already and we need to protect our environment and the important arable land that feeds this country,’ she said.
‘Norfolk County Council remains firmly concerned about the growing number and scale of large solar farm proposals, such as High Grove, especially where they would take good-quality farmland out of production and change the character of our rural areas,’ James continued.
Norfolk has been central to Downing Street’s plans to expedite Britain’s transition to an all-renewable powered electricity grid, with sites earmarked for some of the biggest solar arrays in the country.
The largest of these will become the UK’s highest capacity facility, between Long Stratton and Diss, which would generate power for 400,000 homes. Another scheme, at High Grove, is expected to span 4,000 acres, while plans for sites at East Pye, High Grove and the Droves could extend to 2,700, 4,000 and 2,800 acres respectively.
‘The council has been clear that Norfolk should not be unfairly targeted for major energy developments or become a ‘power station for London’, with little benefit for local communities,’ said James. ‘Although final decisions on the biggest schemes are often made at national level, the council continues to raise objections, work with local partners, and press government to protect Norfolk’s countryside, farming heritage and the interests of residents.’
Image: Raphael Cruz / Unsplash
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