The park will add to Norfolk’s growing solar capacity including Bluefield Solar’s asset pictured above. Image: Bluefield.

Downing Renewable Developments has received planning consent for a 49.9MW solar farm in Norfolk, set to bring a biodiversity net gain of 176%.

The Meerdyke Solar Farm will be located near Marshland ST James in Norfolk and will deliver “significant biodiversity enhancements” across the site’s 54 hectares with a biodiversity net gain of 176%.

Downing Renewable Developments’ parent company, investment manager Downing, has also committed to providing local residents with free domestic solar installations every year. Initial installations will focus on households with “the greatest need,” according to Downing.

Tony Gannon, Head of Downing Renewable Developments, said: “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.”

The Meerdyke Solar Farm will enhance the developer’s 6GW pipeline of development projects across the UK, including the recently announced 750MW solar and co-located storage project in Lincolnshire.