A decision on the UK's largest solar farm proposed for Suffolk villages, described by anti-campaigners as "almost universally" opposed by locals, has been delayed for a third time by the government.

It was confirmed on Thursday that a decision for the 2,500-acre Sunnica Energy Farm project has been once again delayed, with a new deadline of April 11.

The statement was announced in Parliament by Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

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

The previous deadline for a decision in December was similarly delayed at the eleventh hour.

Before this, the fate of the plans, put in by Sunnica Limited, was originally set to be decided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in September.

East Anglian Daily Times: Say No to Sunnica protest, led by Matt Hancock and Lucy Frazer, in 2022Say No to Sunnica protest, led by Matt Hancock and Lucy Frazer, in 2022 (Image: Autumn Scott/Say No to Sunnica)

Catherine Judkins from the Say No to Sunnica Community Action Group said: "I can't say this comes as a complete surprise as we have been in this situation before. 

"It wasn't too long ago that we were waiting for a decision and at the eleventh hour it got deferred. We have been here before and there is a little frustration that we do not have our decision today.

"We take heart in the fact that it wasn't an approval. We are confident that we have put enough evidence forward for the Secretary of State to refuse this scheme.

"If it takes more time but the best decision is ultimately reached then so be it. It needs to be considered very carefully."

Ms Judkins added: "The case is not a straightforward one. The scheme has almost universal opposition locally, including MPs.

East Anglian Daily Times: MP Matt Hancock has hit out at the plans and said they should be refusedMP Matt Hancock has hit out at the plans and said they should be refused (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

"We are concerned about the impact on wildlife, the huge size and scale, the loss of prime agricultural land.

"This is not the right scheme, it is not the right place, and there are better alternatives to delivering solar power in this country."

The MP for West Suffolk, Matt Hancock, who has opposed the plans since the beginning, added: "Delaying the Sunnica decision again is disappointing. 

"I am a strong supporter of solar energy but the Sunnica development is in completely the wrong location. It needs to be rejected and the developers need to think again."

A spokesperson from 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."