Solar 'part of food security solution' - developer

If approved, the High Grove Solar Farm would span 4,000 acres (1,619 hectares) across five sites near Swaffham and Dereham in Norfolk.

Concerns have been raised about the loss of good agricultural land to solar panels – and how that could impact food production in the UK.

But Michael Greslow, from the site's developers – RWE – said the biggest threat to farmland was climate change and that "projects like High Grove solar farm are here to fight [it]".

"Defra's own reports are clear on that, with wetter winters and extreme heats there's already lower yields affecting crops and degrading soil quality" he added.

High Grove would cover an area the equivalent of 2,267 football pitches and should generate enough energy to power 363,000 homes.

It is one of several major solar farms which could be built in Norfolk, with a smaller development near Reepham given approval last week.

The government is keen for such developments to be put forward, with the aim of tackling climate change and making the UK less reliant on foreign energy.