Nature Notes
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 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 others, 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:
- Details
- Written by: FNM Steering Group.
An attentive audience of 60 enjoyed Sue Alderman's delightfully illustrated presentation of 'Hare's Tales'. You'll never mix up your hares and rabbits again! The brilliant pictures included unwilling females up on hind legs fending off overamorous males; a rare one of the eventual mating (which takes place in a milli-second); several of adorable leverets; and a mother, sitting up, alert for predators, and suckling her young.
Sue has been a devotee of these beautiful creatures from the age of five and, along with three other enthusiasts, she eventually founded The Hare Preservation Trust, a very active campaigning group currently engaged with government to establish a closed season for hare shooting: we're the only country that doesn't provide this level of protection for these magnificent Lagomorphs (along with rabbits, the hare is not a rodent!)
We are fortunate in East Anglia to have a good population of brown hares so they are a much-loved sight as they play, fight, and race around their preferred landscape of mixed arable fields, headlands, hedges and woodland, resting in their hollowed out forms, well camouflaged, to stay safe from predators.
The most disturbing thing we learnt was about the barbarous and illegal practice of hare coursing, where a pair of dogs, usually greyhounds/lurchers, chase a hare across farmland and bets are laid on which dog will succeed in killing the terrified creature. Vast amounts of money are involved and, apart from the savage cruelty caused to hares, criminal damage is inflicted on farmland. Theft and violence can also occur, intimidating farmers and rural communities. And yes, it still takes place in Norfolk!
From 1st June 2026 much stricter sentencing guidelines on hare coursing offences will become law.
If you missed this meeting you can read our past article here
Thank you for all your generous donations which support FNM's general work, and which enabled us to give a sizeable gift to the Hare Preservation Trust.
And thank you to our splendid refreshments team and to those supporters who provided delicious cake etc.
Forncett hare enthusiast, Norman Stevens has provided us with some photos of an unusual part-albino hare that lives in and around his garden.
Special thanks to Norman Stevens for the beautiful photograph, and to Carol Sharp for our stylish posters
- Details
- Written by: FNM Steering Group
Natural Norfolk are very pleased to share with you with the news that Norfolks Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been finalised and published today, the 31st October 2025. The documentation, comprising the full strategy, alongside the Local Habitat Map is available at the following links:
Norfolk's Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) - Norfolk County Council
Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership Publications
As you are aware, this is the cumulation of a number of years work from the Norfolk County Council team as Responsible Authority, working closely with Suffolk County Council and supported by the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership, alongside countless other stakeholders. We would like to thank everyone who has been involved, contributed and advised throughout this process.
The document and mapping tool can now be used and referenced as required, so please do share with your appropriate colleagues and contacts. In the next few weeks, there will be additional resources added to the websites, including the executive summaries and technical support document for the mapping, so please do look out for further updates.
Local Habitat Map. Screenshot. Natural Norfolk
We consider this significant milestone strengthens our position from which to lead, support and drive nature recovery action across the region.
As a brief overview, our role as Responsible Authorities for the next steps is starting to be defined and comprises of four main areas:
1) Lead and convene a delivery partnership
2) Embed LNRS into local decision making
3) Identify strategic projects and facilitate project development
4) Monitor and report on delivery of LNRS priorities
We look forward to working with you in the next stages and maintaining the momentum the development process has initiated, so please do look out for future communication from us.
Please feel free to contact the team on if you have any questions.
Apologies if you receive this communication more than once, we are, as we hope you understand, aiming to contact all of our stakeholders with this exciting news!
With kind regards
Jen Burlingham, Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership Manager
and
The Norfolk LNRS Team
- Details
- Written by: Natural Norfolk
Please note that this will take place upstairs in the Steam Museum (not the Village Hall)
This event promises to be of huge interest to all of us who love these beautiful and mysterious creatures of the night. Presented by Simon and Nick, and illustrated with taxidermy specimens, photos and videos, etc. We'll hear stories from these two owl experts and find out how these wonderful birds can be supported around our countryside.
Licensed bar and other refreshments.
- Details
- Written by: Jo Marsden & Carol Sharp