A long-awaited decision on the UK's largest solar farm proposed for the Suffolk border has been delayed for the fourth time. 

It was confirmed on Tuesday that a decision for the 2,500-acre Sunnica Energy Farm project has been delayed again, with a new deadline set for June 20.

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 on March 7 was also delayed, as was a decision in December and one in September. 

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

Of the delay, West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock, who has been against the plans since the start, said: "It's time to put a stop to Sunnica once and for all.

"I am a strong supporter of solar energy but the Sunnica development is dangerous and in the wrong place.

"It needs to be rejected and the developers need to think again." 

Before the delay was announced, Dr Catherine Judkins, who chairs the Sat No to Sunnica Community Action Group, said: "Residents here are generally very pro-solar, but polls taken over the past years consistently show over 90% are opposed to the Sunnica plan.

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

"At a time of global food insecurity, it is sheer madness to take some of the UK’s best food-producing land out of production when we know that there is plenty of room for solar on rooftops and car parks that can be delivered relatively quickly and at relatively low cost, not to mention solar on brownfield sites, genuinely unproductive land, etc.

"Solar doesn’t have to be done the Sunnica way – in fact, it should not be allowed to be done this way."

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."

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 11 April 2024 to 20 June 2024."