What is happening now?
EcoPower is still in pre-application stage, with statutory
consultation running between
8 June and 19 July 2026
[EG1]
.
Communities are urged to offer feedback to further influence the design of the
project – the original plans have already changed in response to community
opinion gathered in 2025.
When statutory consultation ends after eight weeks[EG2] , EcoPower will seek planning permission to construct, operate and decommission the solar farm by submitting a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS).
Once submitted, the DCO will be examined by PINS; if accepted – this can take around three months – EcoPower will move into pre-examination stage, which requires further community engagement.
For more information about the NSIPs planning process, and when you need to be involved, download the ‘Getting to Grips with NSIPs’ guide .
What do you need to do now
Here is some general guidance for town and parish councils for preparing for statutory consultation. As small councils are statutory consultees, the developer is legally obliged to engage with you as relevant councils. Being proactive will help you engage with communities and help shape the proposed project.
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sign up for updates on the developer's or PINS websites - you will be told when consultation is planning to begin.
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set up a small working group of councillors and volunteers to spread the workload.
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gather concerns, local knowledge and ideas ahead of consultation.
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use all available routes to the community - digital, printed, broadcast and community networks - to reach residents who do not usually engage.
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translate technical documents into clear plain-English summaries and quick guides - work with county and district councils if needed. SALC is also available to provide support.
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offer a range of engagement activities, e.g. drop-ins, comment boxes and informal group and one-to-one conversations.
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signpost community members to the developers' events.
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collaborate with third parties to engage with people who do not usually participate, e.g. employers, shops, places of worship.
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create a resident mailing list if you have not already done so.encourage ongoing involvement, as the next stage will be pre-examination when more engagement will be required.
Track progress
Keep up to date on the project's developments by subscribing to PINS alerts here.
More useful information
EcoPower presentation from non-statutory consultation stage in early 2025
EcoPower’s Documentation library
Suffolk County Council’s project page
Mid Suffolk and Babergh Council’s NSIP page