Norfolk County Council is preparing to take the government to court over large-scale solar farm developments, after the leader wrote to the Energy Secretary warning of legal action if schemes such as East Pye, the Droves and High Grove are approved.

The Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Agriculture told councillors at the 11 September meeting that the council is "deeply concerned" about the size and scale of solar projects planned for Norfolk, citing impacts on food security, electricity costs and reports of health concerns from residents near solar inverters in locations such as Hardingham.

Because large solar farms are classed as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, planning decisions are made in Westminster rather than locally, limiting what the council can do directly. The council does, however, have a formal role as a statutory consultee, and is submitting technical responses to each application covering issues including highways, ecology, flooding and fire risk.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has separately provided feedback to the Department for Energy on fire risks associated with battery energy storage systems, which often accompany large solar installations.

In response to a question from Cllr Jim Webber, the Cabinet Member acknowledged that the council's ability to block individual schemes is constrained, but said it would "do what he could to stop these applications where possible." The council is now exploring whether it can mount a joint legal challenge with neighbouring county councils in Suffolk and Lincolnshire.

The council also raised concerns with UK Power Networks about rising transmission and balancing costs linked to renewable energy, which it says are being passed on to electricity bill payers.