Tasway Solar Energy Park
Forncett Nature Matters opposes the development proposed by Tasway Energy Park. Whilst we support green energy, sustainability and the need to mitigate climate change, we do not recognise developments on this scale as green or sustainable. Current proposals cover 3,600 acres of good quality agricultural land with solar panels, battery storage systems and runs of cabling including under the very sensitive chalk stream – the River Tas. This development will butt up to a proposed 2,700 acre solar ‘farm’, East Pye, which, with other local proposals, accounts for 18,500 acres of industrialised development between Ashwellthorpe and Diss.
Tasway and East Pye Solar Development plans
We consider developments on this scale devastating to wildlife, communities and food security. South Norfolk is also on the proposed route of the Norwich to Tilbury Great Grid Upgrade – another project with major destructive impacts on nature.
Some conservation organisations take a neutral stance on solar developments, seeing potential for enhancing wildlife habitats in ways which are not possible with intensive agriculture. They recognise that ideal scenarios may offer undisturbed and well managed habitats. You can read more here from RSPB and Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Whilst we acknowledge these views, our concern is that solar developments, especially on this scale and of 40 year duration, are far from ideal, are managed primarily for profit and pay lip-service to means of mitigating the damage they cause to the environment and to community well-being. There are also some reports which identify significant environmental damage from solar developments.You can read published reports, including comprehgensive literature reviews, here.
In carrying out our research we noted the extreme difficulty in finding objective, independent biodiversity data. Many reports are commissioned by solar developers and undertaken by organisations who appear to do much of their work for solar developers. Other organisations have accepted project funding from National Grid. Few note the potential conflict of interests.
As of December 2025 Tasway Energy Park have not been given a connection point to the National Grid, meaning that their plans are delayed for the time being.
With pthers, we have developed questions to put to solar developers which you are welcome to use and adapt.
You can read our responses to: Tasway Energy Park Phase 1 Consultation here
and to the Planning Inspectorate, Norwich to Tilbury Great Grid Upgrade, here
We fully support:
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