Downing Renewable Developments has been awarded planning consent for a 50MW solar farm, part of its 6GW pipeline of development projects across the UK.
It has received the go-ahead for the Meerdyke Solar Farm near Marshland St James in Norfolk.
Downing said the solar farm will deliver biodiversity enhancements across 54 hectares of the site with a biodiversity net gain of 176%.
Downing is committed to making a positive contribution in the local area including providing free domestic solar installations each year to local residents, with initial installations focussed on those with the greatest need.
Partner and head of energy and infrastructure at Downing Tom Williams said: “Downing Renewable Developments is an important part of our business and we are delighted with their latest success.
“With more than 25 sites at different stages of development requiring in excess of £4bn of capital over the next 10 years, we are excited to offer our investors the opportunity to join us in making a meaningful contribution to the UK’s transition to net zero.”
Head of Downing Renewable Developments Tony Gannon added: “Receiving this planning consent is a major milestone for us, but more importantly this project will contribute to reaching UK net zero targets and offer significant benefits to the local area including contributing to alleviating energy poverty with our long term free domestic solar installation programme.”


