Renewable energy firm RES has applied to develop land to the west of the B1454 Fakenham - Docking Road at Barmer.

It claims by capturing the energy in the sun's rays, the Jack's Lane Solar Farm could generate enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes.

RES solar developer Eliot Davies said: 'Through our detailed studies and public consultation we have been able to design an ideal solar farm site which will make a valuable contribution to the country's renewable energy targets whilst minimising environmental and visual impacts.'

He added 69pc of people attending a public exhibition about the plans, in April, were in favour of using solar energy to generate power, while 51pc were neutral or supportive of the Barmer plan.

'Those who came to speak with us also made a number of suggestions on how they would like to see their community benefitting from the presence of the solar farm,' he said. 'We look forward to taking forward these ideas to find the most suitable solution should the planning committee agree with the general public and approve our scheme.'

In its planning statement, RES says: 'The consent sought is for a temporary period of 27 years.

'This includes up to one year for construction, a 25 year operational period and up to one year for decommissioning.

'At the end of this period all elements of the scheme will have been removed and the land returned to its current use.'

West Norfolk council has now begun a consultation process.