Plans to cover almost four acres of a Norfolk fruit farm in solar panels have been given the green light. 

Polytunnels will make way for a new green energy scheme on land at Church Farm in Tunstead, near Coltishall. 

The 1,900 panels will generate power to help the farm grow soft fruits, by heating food-growing tunnels, as well as allowing it to process and freeze products. 

The space is currently used by polytunnels, which would be demolished and relocated elsewhere on the site, meaning there will be no long-term loss of any growing space. 

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The application was unanimously approved by North Norfolk District Council's development committee.

Tunstead councillor Gerard Mancini-Boyle described the plan as “absolutely brilliant”. 

He said: “This is the future we are now looking at and I'm glad to see that we're seeing far more of these coming through. It’s a no-brainer.” 

Mr Mancini-Boyle said uncontroversial medium size solar schemes like Church Farm should not need to go to before councillors for approval but instead be decided by officers to speed up the process.