Print

Tasway Solar Energy Park

Written by FNM Steering Group.

Forncett Nature Matters opposes the development proposed by Tasway Energy Park. Whilst we support green energy, sustainability and the need to mitigate climate change, we do not recognise developments on this scale as green or sustainable.  Current proposals cover 3,600 acres of good quality agricultural land with solar panels, battery storage systems and runs of cabling including under the very sensitive chalk stream – the River Tas.  This development will butt up to a proposed 2,700 acre solar ‘farm’, East Pye, which, with other local proposals, accounts for 18,500 acres of industrialised development between Ashwellthorpe and Diss. 

Tasway East Pye map.sm
Tasway and East Pye Solar Development plans 

We consider developments on this scale devastating to wildlife, communities and food security.  South Norfolk is also on the proposed route of the Norwich to Tilbury Great Grid Upgrade – another project with major destructive impacts on nature.

Some conservation organisations take a neutral stance on solar developments, seeing potential for enhancing wildlife habitats in ways which are not possible with intensive agriculture.  They recognise that ideal scenarios may offer undisturbed and well managed habitats.  You can read more here from RSPB and Norfolk Wildlife Trust.  Whilst we acknowledge these views, our concern is that solar developments, especially on this scale and of 40 year duration, are far from ideal, are managed primarily for profit and pay lip-service to means of mitigating the damage they cause to the environment and to community well-being.  There are also some reports which  identify significant environmental damage from solar developments.You can read published reports, including comprehgensive literature reviews, here.

In carrying out our research we noted the extreme difficulty in finding objective, independent biodiversity data.  Many reports are commissioned by solar developers and undertaken by organisations who appear to do much of their work for solar developers. Other organisations have accepted project funding from National Grid. Few note the potential conflict of interests.

As of December 2025 Tasway Energy Park have not been given a connection point to the National Grid, meaning that their plans are delayed for the time being.

With pthers, we have developed questions to put to solar developers which you are welcome to use and adapt. 

You can read our responses to: Tasway Energy Park Phase 1 Consultation here
and to the Planning Inspectorate, Norwich to Tilbury Great Grid Upgrade, here

We fully support:

Stop Tasway Solar

Block East Pye

Pylons East Anglia

Forncett St Peter in 2008
Print

St Peter’s – National Lottery Heritage Fund success!

Written by Peter Schimidt-Hansen.

We are delighted to announce that the National Lottery has awarded us £631,462 to secure the future of St Peter’s Forncett for generations to come!

This funding will enable St Peter’s to be taken off Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, to deliver an exciting range of community engagement activities and to create an innovative new interpretive scheme for all ages.

The PCC, the Friends of St Peters and the local community extend enormous thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their generosity and to National Lottery players who have made the funding possible.

It is hoped that the remedial works will start this year, after which the church will be closed while the repairs are carried out. However, the churchyard which will host a series of ‘Four Seasons in a Country Churchyard’ conservation activities, will be open so that visitors can appreciate the beautiful setting of the church and its many interesting external features. Work is expected to take about 18 months and once complete, visitors will also benefit from a new Heritage & Nature Trail and ‘Rook over Forncett’ film, showing the rich history of the Forncetts and St Peter’s Church and created in partnership with the local community.

Terry Hickman Smith, Project Manager of St Peter’s Project Steering Group, said “Thanks to the National Lottery players, St Peter’s church will soon be fully functional and a thriving hub for local groups, schools and the wider community.”

Robyn Llewellyn, Director, Midlands & East, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Places of worship are some of our oldest and most cherished historic buildings. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to support this project which will secure a brighter and more sustainable future for St Peter’s Church, protecting its heritage and creating fantastic opportunities for the local community and beyond.”

Here's a link to an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Norfolk: BBC Radio Norfolk Interview 7-8-2024

Print

Himalayan Balsam - an invasive plant

Written by Brian Frith.

Himalayan Balsam - a special request from the 'Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative'

This article is taken from the recent Norfolk Association of Local Councils update, via Forncett Clerk Anne Rayner

In Norfolk there are several Invasive Non-Native Species which pose a threat to our unique ecosystems and wildlife. One of the main “culprits” is Himalayan Balsam. This plant, which is native to India was introduced to the UK in 1839. It spreads through exploding seed pods and as it grows to more than 3 metres tall, it shades out most native plants where it is growing. The plant usually grows along watercourses and as it dies back in the winter, this leaves bare soil which is then vulnerable to erosion, causing bankside instability and adding sediment to the water. This can have a knock on effect on aquatic plants and may prevent some fish from being able to breed successfully. Studies have also shown that bees prefer this plant and when it is growing in an area, native plants may not be pollinated as a result of bees ignoring them to favour the Himalayan balsam.

The plant can be identified from its pink to white flowers, tall stalks with red stemmed leaves and cocoon shaped seed pods.

At Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative we are trying to map the plants spread across the county, as once we know where it currently is, we are going to take action to stop it in its tracks with the aim of eventually eradicating it. This is the best time of year to spot the plant, when it is at its tallest and flowing. If you think you have seen it growing in your area, please take a photograph (if it is safe to do so) and send this along with the location to 

Print

St Mary an Eco Church

Written by Administrator.

St Mary’s has registered for a project called ‘Eco Church’ – its purpose is to help as many churches as possible celebrate what they are doing to care for the environment.  At the moment we have a Bronze Award for Buildings, a Silver Award for Land, Silver for Community and Global engagement, and Silver for Lifestyle. The church has met some of the criteria due to factors such as leaving a large section of the churchyard for ‘wild’ growing, and having trees planted. There is also a bio toilet, and we are in the process of putting up bat and bird nesting boxes. As we continue to be able to give positive answers to more of the questions we hope to increase those awards to the next level.

Copies of the church guide/history book written by Roy Tricker are available for £3 – contact

eco church