Latest news with #ITVNewsAnglia
ITV News
6 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Norfolk villagers angry after letter says their homes could be 'required' for East Pye solar farm
A great-grandmother has told ITV News she feels "overwhelmed" after dozens of residents in her village received a letter saying their homes "may be required" by a solar farm developer. The East Pye Solar Project would see more than 2,500 acres of countryside across 100 fields in south Norfolk turned into one of the UK's biggest solar farms, affecting villages including Hempnall, Saxlingham and Tasburgh. Proposed last year, it would power around 115,000 homes and a statutory consultation will begin this summer. But 89-year-old Yvonne Davy and dozens of fellow residents have received a letter from developer Island Green Power's lawyers which has left them "alarmed". The letter, from firm Dalcour Maclaren, said East Pye Solar Ltd believe they may have an interest in the residents' land or property, which could be "required for the project". Ms Davy told ITV News Anglia she was "absolutely appalled" to receive the letter, which she feels implies residents' property could be acquired. The great-grandmother, who has solar panels on her roof and drives an electric car, said: "I thought, they'll get my property over my dead body, which is a bit extreme but it would really damage me a great deal. "I'm just overwhelmed by it, really." The project is deemed to be of national significance, meaning the final decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate. That could give the developer the power to compulsory purchase land, but they have said their intention is to deliver the scheme without doing that. "It left me feeling unsettled": Rob Setchell spoke to Hempnall residents who received the letter The parish council said residents felt "harassed" after residents were also contacted on their personal mobile phones. David Hook, chairman of Hempnall Parish Council, told ITV News Anglia the power to compulsory purchase property and land is "a very worrying thing". He said: "Everyone should love the countryside, it's a precious national asset. "We should be protecting it, not destroying it. "It's everybody's legacy." Island Green Power said: "East Pye Solar will be undertaking Land Interest Questionnaires (LIQ) to identify people and organisations that have a legal interest in land or property that may potentially be impacted by the Scheme. "This is a statutory obligation under the 2008 Planning Act and is routine for helping to identify those with legal interest in land. "Completing land referencing questionnaires allows these stakeholders to be consulted on the Development Consent Order (DCO) application and ensures they receive formal notification such as when the Scheme is accepted for examination." It said East Pye is crucial for meeting climate targets to triple solar power by 2030. Around three quarters of people who responded to the first local consultation last autumn were against the plan.
ITV News
28-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Northamptonshire drinks manufacturer says pubs are at breaking point as industry calls for change
An alcoholic drinks manufacturer has called on the government to take urgent action to stop British pubs from closing during a "perfect storm" of financial turmoil. Philip Saxby of Saxby Cider in Irchester, Northamptonshire, said he wants to see "meaningful tax breaks" for pub landlords. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, the industry employs over 1 million people - but six pubs in England and Wales closed for good every week in 2024. Mr Saxby told ITV News Anglia: "Prices are going up, pubs are therefore having to put their prices up more, people are not going out so much, the amount of pubs is shrinking all the time. "So we're basically at a place where our prices are higher, and our customer base is getting smaller - that's not a good situation for anybody.' Joanne Ellis, landlady at The Red Lion in Bozeat, Northamptonshire, has felt the strain ever since the increase in employer's National Insurance contributions. She said: "I think the pressure is relentless, you have to keep on top of everything." She is now working more hours in the kitchen and behind the bar because she can't afford to pay her staff. Ms Ellis added she is having to get creative to get more people through the door on top of the bingo and quizzes she already runs, adding: "I'm going to have to do more events, we'll have to put on more bands which is costly again. "I'm thinking of doing fancy dress parties. If things like that weren't happening, I think people would just stay at home, it is easier isn't it, to just stay at home." The BBPA has called on the government to mitigate employment cost rises and modernise the business rates system.
ITV News
30-04-2025
- General
- ITV News
Guide dog users 'humiliated' after being refused access to public spaces
A blind woman has said she has lost count of the number of times she has been illegally refused access to public places because she has a guide dog. Siobhan Meade from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, who qualified as a guide dog owner in 2003, says she has been refused access at least 30 times. The most recent figures from charity Guide Dogs show 90% of guide dog owners have experienced an unlawful refusal at some point, and 72% experienced one in 2024. Ms Meade told ITV News Anglia she "hung her head in shame" the first time it happened "I just didn't know what to do," she said. "I just felt humiliated standing on the doorstep, knowing that I was allowed to go in, (with) everyone watching me. "It just felt so embarrassing. Nobody should ever feel like they don't belong, because at the end of the day we're all one medical condition or accident away from disability - disability doesn't discriminate." Under the Equality Act 2010, guide dog and other assistance dog owners have the right to enter most services, premises and vehicles with their dogs - but more than 40% of guide dog owners who faced an access refusal last year have been turned away from food and drink premises. However, there are some exceptions, such as where taxi drivers have a medical exemption certificate due to a dog allergy. The 41-year-old, who creates online content to educate people about blindness, is one of the 79% of guide dog owners who say they have changed their plans or limited where they visited because of access refusals. Ms Meade said the extra planning and research she does before she visits anywhere new with her current guide dog Marty has left her "mentally and emotionally drained". She wants to see better staff training and public education on the issue. "Every time it just knocks my confidence," said Ms Meade. "Over a pattern of so many years you're just thinking, I just don't have it in me anymore. "It's simple, I'm not asking for anything extra. I'm asking for what you already have - and that's the freedom and choice to live the life I choose." Clive Wood, from Guide Dogs, said: "We can give somebody with sight loss the skills to get out and about with their guide dog and feel independent, but if they're a guide dog owner who's refused access to a service, it does chip away at that person's confidence and that's completely against what we're trying to do." Guide dog user Emma Norman, from Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, told ITV News Anglia she has to "hype herself up" when she goes somewhere new in case she has to fight to be let in. The 33-year-old Pilates teacher and her guide dog Archie have experienced refusals in settings including restaurants, hotels, taxis and supermarkets. "That one refusal could ruin someone's day," she said. "I almost go into places expecting something, so when you get a good experience, it's like, oh my God, thank you so much for being so nice. And it shouldn't be like that."
ITV News
25-04-2025
- General
- ITV News
Catch up on ITV News Anglia (East) from Friday 25th April
Loading spinner Catch up on ITV News Anglia (East) from Friday 25th April Fri 25 Apr 7.03pm • Watch the latest ITV News Anglia East programme (when available)
