Suffolk County Council is taking legal action against the government over its approval of the £600m Sunnica solar farm project, citing inadequate compensation for the council's resulting workload.
The big picture: The council has sent a pre-action protocol letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, potentially leading to judicial review proceedings. They argue Miliband ignored funding arguments in his rush to approve the application.
Key details:
The council claims Sunnica only has to pay a minimal amount to cover the costs the project imposes on them.
This comes as local authorities face difficult financial decisions to support vulnerable communities, notably SEND funding
The legal action aims to secure appropriate funding for the council's work due to the scheme.
What they're saying: In a scathing statement, Conservative Councillor Richard Rout, Deputy Cabinet Member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, didn't mince his words:
"The new Secretary of State has made a terrible start to his tenure, by waving through the awful Sunnica application with reckless abandon."
"He was only in post for a matter of days before approving a number of energy projects - it would have been impossible for him to fully review the Sunnica application, and to see how flawed it was."
Why it matters: The council argues this sets a dangerous precedent, dismissing residents' concerns and leaving communities with an uncertain future.
"This is an embarrassing, clumsy and entirely avoidable error by the Secretary of State. This is why we are taking legal action," Rout added.
A project not without opposition: Sunnica is set to become the largest solar farm in the UK, and some argue it will significantly impact the local environment during construction and operation. The scheme would stretch around 15 miles from start to finish, affecting 16 parishes and towns and segmenting communities. The Say No to Sunnica group was formed to oppose the plans.
The other side: Developing our region's green energy infrastructure is vital, and any large project will likely have drawbacks and face opposition. It is, and always will be, a balancing act.
We have approached Sunnica for comment but have yet to receive a response.
The bottom line: Suffolk County Council believes the Energy Secretary's decision adds unnecessary pressure at a time when councils are already financially stretched, potentially impacting their ability to support those most in need.
