Objections mount over giant solar farm consultation tactics
PLANS for a sprawling solar energy farm across parts of Rotherham and the Dearne Valley are facing widespread objections over the way local consultations have been carried out.
The Whitestone development - which is in three distinct zones, covering land from Conisbrough to south Rotherham villages - has now been submitted to the Government for consideration.
It is such a vast proposition that a decision will be taken at national level, rather than locally, on whether to grant planning permission.
MPs have already voiced their concerns that consultations by Whitestone on the implications of their plans were insufficient.
Rotherham and City of Doncaster Councils have each filed their own objections, raising similar concerns that consultation was inadequate.
In each area, parish councils have also lodged objections, with Firsby Residents Association also among those objecting in Doncaster, alongside the Save Our Greenbelt group.
The issue is whether consultations which took place were enough to fulfil obligations under planning legislation.
Rotherham Council has flagged that “significant concerns have been raised by a number of parish councils, ward councillors, local residents and MPs.
“These concern suggest that the quality and effectiveness of the consultation has been perceived by these stakeholders as insufficient.”
Aston Parish Council has told the planning inspector who will decide on the application that the development would have significant impacts on the area: “Insufficient information has been provided across the consultation process to enable these impacts to be properly understood or assessed.”
Conisbrough Parks Parish Council claim information on how to present feedback was “procedurally incoherent” and prejudiced their ability to engage with the consultation.
More details of the proposals have also emerged, with an expected timescale of between two and three years to build the whole structure, should permission be granted.
It would cost up to £600m, creating the equivalent of more than 1,600 full time jobs during construction, with around 500 of those being filled locally, either directly or indirectly.
When operational, staff numbers would plummet to just 39, with 15 expected to be filled locally and the rest being filled nationally.
It is anticipated the scheme would have a 60 year lifespan, up from the 40 years previously anticipated for such developments.
Whitestone say the development will help meet national clean energy needs and the scheme has been scaled back following consultations.