Defence chiefs who fear a huge solar farm would interfere with radar for planes landing at RAF Marham are close to withdrawing their objection, after talks with developers.
The Ministry of Defence had lodged an objection to The Droves project, which would see 2,800 acres of countryside between Castle Acre and Swaffham covered with panels.
Officials had said the reflective metal materials in the proposed solar arrays could hamper precision approach radar at Marham - the RAF's main base for its F-35 Lightning jets - which is some three-and-a-half miles away from part of the planned solar farm.
They were also worried RAF Marham's pilots and air traffic control tower staff could be dazzled by glare reflected off panels on the project.
However, a hearing in King's Lynn, where a planning inspector is considering the proposals, heard how there had been "constructive dialogue" between developer Island Green Power and defence officials.
Alex Tresadern, on behalf of Island Green Power, said an agreement on how to mitigate and manage any impact on RAF Marham was "not far away".
Jon Wilson, from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, part of the MoD, told the hearing that there had been "very constructive dialogue" with Island Green Power.
He said a requirement had been put forward for the developer to physically screen some of the solar panels in three specific areas, so they did not affect radar.
He added there had also been constructive talks about an "appropriate" management plan to deal with potential glint and glare.
Mr Wilson said the MoD still had some concerns around management of construction equipment and the possibility of "bird hazards" from the creation of new wetland.
He said the developer would be providing further information and the MoD would review its position afterwards.
Island Green Power says the solar farm will generate up to 500 megawatts of electricity, enough to power around 115,000 homes a year.
But critics have raised concerns about the loss of farmland, the impact on the countryside and on nearby roads.
The application is being treated as a nationally significant infrastructure project, seen as crucial to the Labour government's net zero drive and the reduction of dependency on fossil fuels.
It is not going through the usual planning process.
Instead the independent Planning Inspectorate is considering evidence and representations through hearings and written submissions.
The examination, which includes a further hearing in King's Lynn on Wednesday (September 9) and a site visit on Thursday (September 10), is due to run until November.
Planning inspector Anthony Johnson will then make a recommendation to energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who has the final say whether it goes ahead.
Share