A picturesque Norfolk village faces upheaval after developers behind one of Britain’s largest solar energy projects revealed plans to funnel construction traffic through its narrow main street over the next two years.
The East Pye solar farm, spanning 2,718 acres of surrounding countryside, would require oversized loads measuring up to 5.5 metres in width to pass along the historic thoroughfare in Saxlingham Nethergate, home to roughly 700 residents.
To make this possible, the company intends to widen the road – currently just 4.5 metres across – provoking fury among locals who say the route is entirely unsuitable for industrial-scale transport.
Tonnes of heavy machinery and equipment would need to travel through the village during the construction phase.
The street in question passes an Edwardian school, a medieval church, pretty cottages, traditional agricultural buildings, a thatched village hall and a classic red telephone box, running alongside a drainage stream bordered by white railings.
Among its most significant landmarks is the Old Rectory, a Grade II listed building designed by the celebrated architect Sir John Soane, and regarded as one of his finest early works.
The widening scheme would require the demolition of an 18th-century boundary wall at the property.
The road expansion would also encroach upon the triangular plot of land where the village’s distinctive Grade II listed war memorial stands.
The historic thoroughfare in Saxlingham Nethergate is under threat, affecting roughly 700 residents
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Saxlingham Nethergate contains more than 40 listed structures in total, making the prospect of heavy vehicle movements through its centre all the more contentious.
Neville Dare, who lives in the centre of the village, told reporters: “I think everybody is pretty angry about it. There must be alternative ways.”
John Houchen, a fellow villager, added: “We are totally opposed to it. It is totally inappropriate in an area like this.”
Meanwhile, John Cook, a South Norfolk District councillor and Saxlingham resident, described the local roads as “hopelessly inadequate” and said: “It shows a lack of respect to the people of Norfolk. It’s a disaster. The residents are up in arms against it.”
Mr Cook also raised concerns that vibrations from regular heavy lorry movements could cause structural damage to the village’s many listed buildings.
The parish council has described the threat to the war memorial’s land as “deeply concerning”, and warned that abnormal loads passing through would pose “obvious risks” to the integrity of local properties.
The Sir John Soane’s Museum in London has formally objected to the scheme, citing the inevitable damage to the Old Rectory.
A spokesman said: “Alteration of the vista by the removal of trees and the demolition of the original boundary wall would result in material damage to that carefully arranged scheme, and thus alter the character of this Grade II listed house.”
Railings along the stream would also need to be removed to accommodate the oversized machinery
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A stretch of the street is lined with cottages lacking driveways, and residents who currently park on the road fear losing parking spots once widening work begins.
One local said: “Why choose this road? I can’t see how they can get around these corners.”
They noted that the railings along the stream would also need to be removed to accommodate the oversized machinery as the road narrows uphill.
Because of its scale, the East Pye project has been classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning the final decision on whether it proceeds rests with Miatta Fahnbulleh, rather than local planning authorities.
Should the new Energy Secretary grant approval, she could bestow powers compelling landowners in the village to permit the works – and even force them to sell their property to Island Green, the company behind the scheme.
Construction materials for the solar farm are due to arrive by ship at either Felixstowe or King’s Lynn, travelling onward via A-roads through the larger settlements of Poringland and Stoke Holy Cross before reaching the village.
A spokeswoman for East Pye said: “We remain committed to engaging with landowners, residents and anyone with an interest in land affected by the scheme.”