Wormegay: Plans revealed for solar farm near Norman castle

Food supplier Alfred G Pearce has applied to site the array in a field beside the earthworks at Wormegay, near King's Lynn.

However, heritage watchdog Historic England has raised concerns about the scheme.

The firm says the panels, which would cover around 6,000 sq m of land south of the fortifications, would supply power to its vegetable packing plant off Castle Road, which employs around 60 people.

Agents Brown and Co say in a planning statement: "Historic England responded in July 2022 indicating that it would object to a planning application on heritage grounds.

"This was because it was considered that the proposal would adversely affect the setting of the adjacent ancient monument by intruding into views of and from the former castle site. Concerns were also raised about potential disturbance to buried archaeology."

The statement says the solar farm would generate half of the electricity which the plant requires each year.

The castle is shown on the village sign at Wormegay (Image: Chris Bishop)

It says the roof of the building was surveyed and found not to be strong enough to support the additional weight.

Brown & Co say the panels would not be visible from Castle Road, as they would be screened by the castle and their impact on the landscape would be "minor".

They add: "It is considered that the proposed development would not result in any significant individual or cumulative adverse impacts upon neighbour amenity, local landscape character, or heritage assets.

"Any impacts resulting would be outweighed by the benefits of the scheme in terms of renewable energy generation and climate resilience."

A decision is expected from West Norfolk council next year.

Castle's 1,000-year history

The castle at Wormegay is listed as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic England, which describes it as "a good example of this class of monument".

It says on its listing: "The earthworks of both motte and bailey survive well and they and the buried remains of the tower on the motte, will contain archaeological information concerning the date of construction and the manner of the subsequent organisation and use of the castle. 

"The manor of Wormegay is well documented, and the importance of the castle as the administrative centre of a barony associated with families prominent in the medieval history of England gives the monument additional interest."

After the Norman conquest in 1066, Wormegay was granted to Hermer de Ferrers, and it became his main manor and administrative centre.

Historic England says the castle was probably built by de Ferrers or one of his immediate descendants, who took the name of de Wormegay.