Aura Power has secured planning consent for its 30MW Marsh Lane solar farm in Mid Suffolk following the completion of a Section 106 agreement to protect skylark nesting areas.
The scheme, located between Palgrave and Wortham, received unanimous backing from the local planning committee in April. Members praised its strong community engagement and long-term revenue support for local farm businesses.
The project will be developed in partnership with three landowners to provide income stability and diversification opportunities. One farmer said: “This is not prime agricultural land, and the revenue from the solar farm will help secure the future of our wider farm business. It means we can keep producing food, rather than facing financial uncertainty.”
Once operational, Marsh Lane will generate enough electricity to supply around 12,000 homes and cut 11,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Extensive habitat measures including wildflower meadows, grassland and hedgerow planting are planned to boost biodiversity.
Aura said it is coordinating with other local energy projects to minimise disruption during construction, which is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 ahead of a September 2027 grid connection.
Peter Thomas, UK head of development at Aura Power, said: “This project demonstrates how clean energy generation, farming, and biodiversity can work hand-in-hand, while delivering long-term benefits for rural businesses and the local environment.”
A £12,000 annual community fund will also be established to support local projects.