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Impact on Norfolk – Public Rights of Way

A countryside landscape showing a 'kissing gate' which marks the start of a well trodden public footpath across a green field.

Helen Steed

Protecting access and the public’s connection to the countryside.

Norfolk’s network of footpaths, bridleways, and quiet lanes is among the finest in England, connecting villages, farmland, and nature reserves.

Mega solar developments threaten to fragment this access network through fencing, rerouting, or closure of long-used paths.

What’s happening

Path closures

Public rights of way are sometimes temporarily closed during construction but not always reinstated.

Obstruction and rerouting

Panels, fences, and security infrastructure can divert ancient paths away from their historic routes.

Loss of views

Even where access remains, high fences and panels block sightlines that once gave open views of the landscape.

Loss of public access and the perception of exclusion

“Private, restricted” signage can make residents feel unwelcome in spaces that were public for generations.

Why it matters

Public access is a defining feature of the Norfolk countryside. It underpins physical health, mental wellbeing, and rural tourism. Losing access means losing one of the greatest shared benefits of the countryside.

CPRE Norfolk’s call

Access to nature is central to a fair transition. CPRE Norfolk campaigns to ensure all renewable energy developments safeguard, and ideally enhance, the right to roam safely through Norfolk’s countryside.

We believe developers should work with local councils and communities to:

Protect historic paths.
Improve signage and accessibility.
Offset visual loss with new green walking routes or viewing areas.

Keep reading

Next page –> Renewables Done Well – the smarter, fairer way to achieve Net Zero

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

Sources:

Norfolk County Council, 2025 – Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way.
CPRE Norfolk, 2025 – “The Countryside for Everyone” Access Report.

Woman hand holding plant growing from coins bottle in the on blurred green natural background

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