Nearly 300 solar panels could be installed in a Norfolk quarry if permission to extend the time period for extraction from the site is granted. 

McLeod Aggregates Limited has applied to Norfolk County Council to place 288 panels at Bittering Quarry near Dereham. 

Processing activities at the quarry are due to finish by the end of December 2030, but the applicant is also seeking permission to be allowed to continue for another 11 years.

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The applicant said extending the timescales would provide time to justify the investment in the solar panels and enable further extraction of sand and gravel.

Documents lodged with County Hall state: "Clearly there is an urgent need to address the climate crisis and replacing a significant proportion of the fossil fuels currently being consumed at Bittering Quarry with renewable energy will assist in this aim.

"In addition, all renewable energy generated which is not able to be utilised at the quarry will be fed into the grid and therefore still contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels more generally."

A decision will be made in due course.