Background

On 18th February 2025 a proposal was submitted, on behalf of energy giant Quintas Cleantech, to East Suffolk Council (planning ref: DC/25/0693/EIA) for a very large Solar Farm across two sites in Letheringham and Easton, Woodbridge, Suffolk. This would be one of the largest in the country, generating 49.9 MW of electricity.

At this time, no communications had been made to Parish Councils, or to local communities. Letheringham residents became aware on 7th March 2025 and informed those most impacted, holding an informal meeting on 9th March 2025. Quintas Cleantech (QC), in their proposal, concluded that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be necessary, and East Suffolk Council (ESC) had announced that they would make their decision regarding whether an EIA would be required, on 11th March 2025. With little time, at the request of residents, Letheringham Parish Council, wrote to ESC stating that a full EIA should be undertaken due to the sensitivities of the Heritage landscape.

A group of residents from Letheringham are opposed to the proposal, and feel it appropriate to inform residents of local villages, particularly, as such proposals are also happening across vast swathes of our neighbouring countryside. Our MP, Patrick Spencer, has also been contacted to share our concerns and to seek his support.  

The Next Stage

We believe that ESC have extended the deadline to make their decision as to whether and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is required. This is to give communities and Parish Councils time to submit any concerns. It is expected that Quintas Cleantech (QC) will commence a formal pre-application engagement/consultation with residents in Spring 2025. As a consequence, we have created this website to enable residents and visitors to Letheringham, as well as wider communities, to be “better informed” by reading as much or as little as you wish.

The critical aspect is to be more informed/prepared and “on the front foot”, as we will have limited time from formal planning being submitted, to ESC making a decision. A decision which will, in our opinion, change the landscape of our special village forever.  

Why are we objecting to Letheringham Solar Farm?

We believe that a holistic approach to renewable energy is vital for a sustainable future, which includes investment in Solar Farms. However, such developments should be appropriately located: “roofs before rural”, contaminated sites, industrial land, brownfield sites, adjacent to motorways, railways, etc, and not within a Heritage landscape, on agricultural farmland, within the heart of rural Letheringham. We believe such a development would engulf our community, causing significant visual and audible harm, to both residents and those further afield who regularly visit the area. Letheringham is known for its rural charm, welcoming many walkers (“pram-pushers”), ramblers, horse riders, dog walkers, church goers, cyclists, Easton harrier hounds, etc, into the village daily, come rain or shine! The village is a well known holiday cottage destination, deep in rural Suffolk, attracting invaluable tourist expenditure, therefore supporting many small local businesses. Transformation of this landscape into a semi-industrial, utility-grade power complex, would simply dwarf Letheringham and threaten the tourist industry many businesses, and associated employees, have come to rely upon. 

From this beautiful landscape

To this industrial power complex

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