Impact on Norfolk – tourism & the local economy

The economic picture

Tourism value

Norfolk’s visitor economy is worth an estimated £3 billion annually, driven by walking, cycling, birdwatching, and nature-based holidays.

Employment

Over 50,000 people rely on rural and tourism-linked work.

Limited local benefit

Large solar schemes often bring no long-term local employment once built, and profits flow to national or international developers.

Land value distortion

Speculative leasing can inflate land prices, harming local tenant farmers and young entrants.

The risk to Norfolk’s brand

Visitors come to Norfolk for its unspoilt countryside, wildlife, and tranquillity.

Turning that same countryside into an industrial landscape could reduce visitor appeal and harm local businesses, from holiday accommodation to farm shops, cafes, and heritage attractions.

CPRE Norfolk’s position

The move to clean energy must strengthen, not undermine, the rural economy.

We advocate a “circular local model”, investing in small-scale renewables on community, farm, and business rooftops that keep income local, while preserving the rural experience that sustains tourism.

This page is based on the exhibition board “Impact on Norfolk – Local Economy” from CPRE Norfolk’s Getting Solar OFF the Land Exhibition (2025).

Sources: 

Visit Norfolk, 2024 – Economic Impact Report.
CPRE Norfolk, 2025 – Position Paper on Rural Economy and Landscape Value.
SolarQ, 2024 – “Economic Assessment of Mega Solar Projects.”