Castle Acre Parish Council

Castle Acre Parish Council Chairman’s Report 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026

Tim Hubbard, Chair….

Castle Acre Parish Council

I have been in the Chair for just over two and a half years so now presenting you with my third Chairmans’ report. I am pleased to confirm CAPC still has a full Council, even though we said thank you and goodbye to Cllr Andy Collins in the autumn of 2025. Andy will have served as a Cllr for about 18 months however due to his move away from the Village reluctantly had to stand down. We thank Andy for the valued contribution he made while serving as a Parish Cllr.

My sincere thanks to Cllr Grant Dukes, who  joined the Council early in 2026 and is already making a noticeable contribution. The support given to Castle Acre Parish Council by all Cllrs is much appreciated by my-self and our Clerk Amy Hart, thank you all for your valued contributions.

Amy Hart our Clerk continues to show tremendous enthusiasm for her work as our Clerk and all thing’s Castle Acre. We congratulate Amy for successfully completing her iLCA training during 2025 and wish her well with her CiLCA training in 2026. This is a huge commitment on her part, over 200 hrs of training time, CAPC is rightly supporting this training, sharing the actual training costs with a bursary awarded to Amy by the SLCC..  It will be beneficial for Castle Acre to have a CiLCA Qualified Clerk once this training is finished. I am, as I am sure you all are, hugely appreciative of the ongoing commitment  Amy gives to the village of Castle Acre, as I have said before she goes above and beyond in carrying out her responsibilities as Clerk. Thank you very much Amy.

Planning….

As consultees of the Borough Council, we continue to see several Castle Acre planning applications come before us.

The most noted are…

Ran Revir at the southern end of Bailey Street. Since a previous approval was declared void by the BC following the total demolition of the old bungalow which had not received planning  approval. Further application Ref: 24/00256/F was refused 13^th March 2025 mainly due to issues raised by the Environment Agency and the need for a satisfactory FRA. The applicant submitted another application in early August 2025, ref 25/01297/F and with the resolution of earlier issues this was finally granted Planning Permission / Approval 5^th November 2025.

The Droves Solar Farm Ltd, (part of IGP, Island Green Power) has brought forward proposed plans for a solar complex with battery energy storage and required infrastructure, (sub-stations) all to be located on land north of Swaffham and south of Castle Acre potentially producing 500 MWac (Megawatts) of renewable energy. CAPC continues to object to the application and is now participating in the hearing process.

Castle Acre Parish Council continue to support the permanent TRO for part of the South

Acre Road and Castle Acre Ford. The temporary restriction order currently in place since August 2024 has again been extended to August 2026. For safety reasons the road was closed to all road traffic by the installation of barriers in August 2024, these barriers were extended in early 2026 due to the constant non-compliance with the TTRO! The latest update confirms that the TRO process applied for by NCC is progressing, all be it at a frustratingly slow pace!

Other planning applications have been considered by the Parish Council, in 25/26 a record of which can be found in PC minutes posted on the new website, 2025/26.

Village Projects…

After the successful project to replace the Castle Acre Village Sign on Stocks Green, completed July 2024, we have now been able to turn our attention to other things. However, before I move on I would like to just mention the Castle Acre Village website.. As a result of many hours of hard work by our Clerk, Amy Hart, the site continues to be successfully developed along with help from the IT department at NALC (Norfolk Association of Local Councils) who host the site. Please take a look you might be surprised by what you can find. Data updating continues to be conducted, but please let our Clerk know if something does not quite look right, Amy will be happy to take a look and make corrections if required. clerk@castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk

SAM 2. Due to the support of our County Councillor, you will remember CAPC was able to purchase its own SAM2 static speed monitor in March 2025. We continue to be in debt to the village resident, who on our behalf manages the siting of, and data collection from, this speed monitor. During the year we have added a further static location pole on the Massingham Road, just before the Playing Field as you approach from the north. Despite our best efforts to encourage motorists to slow down in the village, some still choose to ignore this encouragement and continue to speed at up to 50 mph, all speeding is unacceptable. Our latest data has been passed to the local police and the monthly data summary continues to be posted on the Castle Acre website. In addition to the above I am pleased to confirm again with the support of our NCC Cllr our request for a ‘Part Time’ speed sign to be positioned in Back Lane on the approach to the Village School has been approved and ordered for installation over the next few months.

New Bus Shelter, Massingham Road. This was finally installed in the summer of 2025  as a result of generous support from a village resident and that of the County Council Bus Shelter Grant Scheme after a successful funding application.

A new Council Printer had to be purchased during September 2025 to replace the old one as it had become frustratingly unreliable.

The Castle Acre Heritage Group. Formerly The CA National Lottery Heritage Project.

The group goes from strength to strength with volunteers and interested residents continuing work on various projects and activities around the Village all under the direction of  Cllr Anne Mason. Alongside new mole hill investigations at the Castle, annual wildlife and Plant surveys continue which support the new CA Biodiversity Duty, (an initial plan was written and published 2024/25). Work continues at the nonconformist Burial Ground with plans in place to finally finish the Gate Pillars. Work also continued in the Churchyard of St James, the removal of damaging Ivy from the walls and completing the recording of gravestones. Our sincere thanks to Anne Mason and all volunteers involved in these and other projects, their work is hugely appreciated.

East Green Regeneration. We are now in the second year of the East Green project. The hedge planted on 15^th February 2025 by approx. 30 village volunteers is now establishing well as are the Snowdrop bulbs planted in the March. We have moved into ‘Stage 2’, the first of some trees was planted by the Horticultural Society in memory of a local resident along with more bulbs. The new hedge line has recently been weeded and re-mulched. We plan to plant further trees and more bulbs this coming autumn, winter.

Castle Acre Parish Council, Notice Board and Village Gates. Our sincere thanks again to a village resident donating his time to continue maintenance work around the Village on behalf of the Parish Council, thank you, the work is much appreciated.

CAPFA. Castle Acre Parish Council is fortunate to be supported by the CAPFA who manage and maintain the Playing Field on behalf of the owners, CA Parish Council. All village clubs, Football, Cricket, and Bowls operating on the playing field appear to be thriving, with the Cricket Club planning to resume league games this summer, 2026. The children’s play area continues to be well used both by local children and those of visitors to the village, after a successful funding bid, three new rainbow picnic benches have been added to the area for their use. Two new picnic benches have also been added to the outer area after a separate successful funding bid along with two benches on the wider field kindly donated by a village resident. As reported last year The ‘MUGA’ court was registered with the Lawn Tennis Association and continues to experience increased use. CAPFA along with the support of Castle Acre Parish Council continues to investigate the possibility of improving the Parking area on the playing field to the north of the Pavilion when time allows.

Thank you to Nigel Chambers, CAPFA Chair, and his committee for their continued hard work, once again all they do on our behalf is really appreciated.

Village Hall.

Another committee that has been hard at work. I have been assured ‘The Village Hall’ continues to benefit from the Solar Panels which  were installed on the roof about three years ago. Additional internal acoustic panels were fitted in 2025, and further facility upgrades carried out with much needed outside storage also added in the last 12 months. An online booking system has been implemented in the last few months; all part of an up-dating process! Thank you to the Village Hall committee for all you do.

Finances.

Castle Acre PC has now moved its bank accounts from HSBC to The Unity Trust Bank. We have three accounts, one a business account used for all PC payments and receipts. The other two, ‘Savings Accounts’, are interest bearing, one for restricted and unrestricted donations which had a financial year end balance of £6,237.13p the second held funds of £14,155.82p at year end, allocated to what was the CANLHP funds, along with the Business account reserve. Total combined balances / reserves at the year-end were £21,191.52p with £557.78p owed to the Parish Council, (a vat refund).

Streetlights, Electricity Supply. I am pleased to confirm that we were finally able to resolve our dispute with our Electricity supplier SSE. As reported last year, we have been in dispute since November 2023 with various issues of overcharging and incorrect contract costs. The situation has been hugely ‘frustrating’ but after lengthy discussions with SSE many times the situation is now resolved sadly not to my entire satisfaction, however we received a further refund, and all contracts are now correctly charged! Our current fixed contract runs out in July 2026!

Council Costs.. I must also report that due to the ever rising costs of running your Parish, reluctantly the PC have once again had to increase the Parish Precept which is collected through your Council Tax, this is not a decision we take lightly and has to be justified by our budgets for each year.

Volunteers.

To repeat what I said last year, thank you from the Parish Council on behalf of the Village to all our volunteers, all groups already mentioned, the litter picking group led by Paul Slocombe, the unseen helpers and neighbours, those in many village groups and clubs without who, the Castle Acre community could not thrive as it does. To all who help in any way by making Castle Acre a better place for us all to live. Thank you.

In summary we as a Parish Council have had another busy year in addition to performing our usual duties and responsibilities. My thanks to all Councillors, each and every one, for your continued support and help, our Borough and County Councillors, Cllr Beales and Cllr Moriarty, for their help and experience with issues within and those that go beyond our Parish boundaries. And finally, a special thank you to Amy for all your hard work, it is much appreciated.

Thank you. Tim Hubbard. Chair, Castle Acre Parish Council.

Castle Acre Parish Council (CAPC) held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday 9th April 2026, with one member of the public in attendance.

The Droves Solar Farm

Thanks go to James Wild MP of our UK Parliament and his researcher Alexander Hagag for meeting with the CAPC Solar Subgroup of Councillors and one Resident on 20/03/2026. In respect of the meeting, the Local Free News article of 01/04/2026 quoted James as saying: “It was valuable to meet with Castle Acre Parish Council to hear their concerns, and I will continue to work closely with them to oppose the plans as the process moves forward,” he said. “While renewable energy is important, projects of this scale must be properly scrutinised, especially when local people are being asked to bear such a significant cumulative impact. Like many others across the county, I have set out serious concerns about the effect this proposal could have, including on the landscape, productive farmland, the environment and local communities. The planning system must take full account of local circumstances, and communities hosting major infrastructure should see meaningful benefits.” A link to the full news article can be found here:  MP backs residents’ objections to solar farm – Local Free News. To view the meeting minutes, contact the Clerk.

East Green Regeneration Project Update

On 15th February 2025, a group of Councillors, village volunteers and children planted 320 ‘bare root’ native hedge plants on East Green, adding and improving biodiversity, the start of a longterm project. It is good to now report that the hedgerow is starting to ‘establish’ with new buds and leaves happily ‘popping up’ this Spring. To further the project, in the week commencing 6th March, the PC Chair along with volunteers, carried out some maintenance to this new East Green hedge, weeding and re-mulching along the hedge line. The first of a small number of trees has also been planted on the eastern side (Acre Campestre) donated by the Castle Acre Horticultural Society in memory of a local resident who was also one of the founding members of the Society.

Norfolk Heating Oil Crisis Fund launched to combat rising costs

Norfolk County Council has set up a £3 million crisis fund to support residents affected by the rise in heating oil prices. Help is available to those who are on lower incomes, typically with less than £35K coming in each year. To find out who can access support and what support is on offer, please visit: Norfolk Heating Oil Crisis Fund launched to combat rising costs – Norfolk County Council.

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To view Council Minutes and finances go to: http://castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk. Castle Acre PC’s AGM meeting is 7:00pm, Thursday May 14th, 2026, followed by the full CAPC meeting at 7:30pm at CA Village Hall. Clerk- Amy Hart Tel: 07815430777 Email: clerk@castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk

 

Castle Acre Parish Council (PC) held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday 12th March 2026, with no members of the public in attendance.

The Droves Solar Farm

Since Island Green Power’s ‘Development Consent Order’ (DCO) has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination, CAPC’s Chair Tim Hubbard, on behalf of the Parish Council and Solar Subcommittee has confirmed as an Interested Party and sent the first Summary Representation to the Planning Inspectorate on 24/03/2026, ahead of the upcoming representation deadline of 27^th February 2026.

The Summary Representation outlined concerns cover the following:

*Harm to the Setting of an Exceptional Heritage Cluster, * Bartholomew’s Hills Substation, additional pylons and BESS Location, *The Landscape and Visual Assessment,  *Impact on Statutory Heritage Assets and Their Setting,  *Threat to Archaeological Significance, *Impact on the River Nar SSSI, *Biodiversity and Local Nature Recovery Goals, *Loss of Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land BMV (grades 2 and 3a), *Public Rights of Way & National Trail Impact, * Impact on Dark Skies Policies, * Noise Pollution, * Cumulative Impact and Policy Precedent (3,800 hectares) including neighbouring High Grove.

Can you help? CAPC’s Solar Subgroup are all Volunteers, if you possess the skills and experience to assist CAPC in this Planning dispute, please consider giving some time to support the Solar Subgroup. You really can make a difference, and it would be hugely appreciated.

For full Summary representation and/or to help support the Solar Subcommittee, contact the Clerk.

A Spring/Summer revamp to ‘Listed Building’ Red Telephone Box on Stocks Green!

In September of 2025 the Parish Council were asked by BT to consider either adopting the Listed Building Telephone Box Ref: 24/02098/BT on Stocks Green (01760 755313) for £1, or to continue as unadopted, with BT managing the upkeep. Due to the high cost and complexity of applications for Listed Building Consent (LBC) at the Castle Acre Parish Council meeting 09/01/2025, Councillors voted not to adopt the telephone box on the understanding that BT were still responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this listed building. Upon a recent request in January 2026 for 1) faded signage to be replaced and 2) for the phone box to be repainted (with each request requiring its own application and consent), BT have confirmed that Castle Acre’s phone box have ‘made it onto the list’, which means that a fresh repaint and refurb will be carried out in late Spring or the Summer months.  These planned works, come a welcome news, as the phone box stands as an historic focal point in the centre of the Village, on Stocks Green.

 

To view Council Minutes and finances go to: http://castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk. Castle Acre PC’s next meeting is 7:30pm, Thursday April 9^th, 2026, at CA Village Hall. Clerk- Amy Hart Tel: 07815430777 Email: clerk@castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk

Castle Acre Parish Council (PC) held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday 12th February 2026, with no members of the public in attendance.

The Droves Solar Farm

Since Island Green Power’s ‘Development Consent Order’ (DCO) has been accepted by the

Planning Inspectorate for examination, CAPC Solar Subcommittee recently met with Representatives of KLWNBC NSIPs planning team to discuss the registration / examination process and upcoming representation deadline of 27^th February 2026. As such CAPC would like to confirm the following points:  

• Residents can register as an ‘Interested Party’ via the Planning Inspectorate and ‘Have their say’, until 27^th February 2026.
• The examination process will take approx. 6 months with 9-10 deadlines to submit evidence / material planning considerations for a series of public hearings, which will be held in person and via Teams. To speak at hearings, pre-registration is required. Any spoken points are to be submitted to the Planning Inspector directly after the hearing.
• The Planning Inspector (likely one) will be appointed ‘independently’ by the Secretary of State and at the end of the process will produce an ‘Inspectors Report’ which could be agreed or thrown out by the Secretary of State.
• To have any representation from CAPC reviewed by a Technical Consultant would cost approx. 2K per document. Clearly CAPC cannot afford to do this, our Solar Subcommittee are a group of volunteers. If anyone has the skills you think would assist the Subcommittee with their challenge to the Solar Farm application and would like to help, please contact the Clerk.
• Any binding Community benefit (if the application is given approval) is likely to be agreed by Developers upon completion.

Congratulations to CAPFA! 

Congratulations go to CAPFA for a successful 80% funding bid to KLWNBC’s ‘Rural Community Grant Fund’. This project will create an inclusive seating/picnic area adjacent to the play park for all age groups. The project will involve area preparation and installation of recycled multi-coloured seating from NBB Recycling – 1 children’s octagonal bench and 2 adult octagonal benches with space for 1 wheelchair at each. It is hoped the project will be completed by early spring 2026.

Dog Poo! 

CAPC would like to thank all Dog Owners who pickup, bag and dispose of their Dog’s waste correctly, placing it in the bins located around the village, provided by the PC. Sadly, there are still some owners who do not pick up, or worse, pickup, then chuck the bag with contents into hedges and trees! This is in no one’s interest, it is antisocial and unsightly, taking years for bags to degrade. Please be considerate, care for our village surroundings, ‘do the right thing’, and clear up after your dog’s properly in public areas, and footpaths around the village. Thank you! 

 

To view Council Minutes and finances go to: http://castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk. Castle Acre PC’s next meeting is 7:30pm, Thursday March 12^th, 2026, at CA Village Hall. Clerk- Amy Hart Tel: 07815430777 Email: clerk@castleacreparishcouncil.gov.uk