Plans for a huge solar farm on the edge of Suffolk will not be decided for another three months after a further delay in proceedings, it has been revealed.

Claire Coutinho, the secretary of state for energy security and net zero was set to announce whether the planned Sunnica Ltd solar farm would be allowed to go ahead on December 7. 

However, home secretary James Cleverly confirmed that a decision for the 2,500-acre development had been delayed pending a new deadline. 

East Anglian Daily Times: The Sunnica decision has been delayedThe Sunnica decision has been delayed (Image: Archant)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has now revealed the new date for the decision will be March 7. 

In a statement Ms Coutinho said: "The current statutory deadline for the decision on the Sunnica Energy Farm application is December 7, 2023.

"I have decided to set a new deadline of no later than March 7, 2024, for deciding this application.

"The decision to set the new deadline for this application is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent."

East Anglian Daily Times: Matt Hancock has urged the government to refuse the plansMatt Hancock has urged the government to refuse the plans (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

Following the announcement, MP for West Suffolk Matt Hancock, who has opposed the plans since the beginning, said: "The not knowing has been incredibly difficult for local residents, so I'm pleased we now have a date for the decision.

"I once again urge the government to reject Sunnica's current plans, so we can finally put this huge worry to rest."

The decision was originally due to be made in September, but this too was postponed.

The plans would see the farm built across the border between east Cambridgeshire and west Suffolk, including in Mildenhall, West Row, Freckenham and Worlington.

East Anglian Daily Times: Claire Coutinho is due to decide the plans in 2024Claire Coutinho is due to decide the plans in 2024 (Image: PA)

A spokesman for Sunnica previously said: "The UK needs to double the amount of renewable energy it generates by 2050.

"Sunnica would make a significant contribution to this goal. We will continue to work with the Secretary of State to provide them with any information they require to determine our DCO application."

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "The statutory deadline for taking the decision for development consent for the proposed Sunnica Energy Farm has been extended from 7 December 2023 to 7 March 2024."