Planning application for 'industrial' Whitestone solar farm expected soon
A PLANNING application for the hugely controversial Whitestone solar farm in Rotherham is expected to be submitted this year, an MP has said.
Rother Valley MP Jake Richards is among those who have already been in touch with Whitestone over their plans, which would cover a wide area of Rotherham, and other communities, with solar panels.
The proposals have generated opposition over an area which spans communities including Harthill and Conisbrough.
Now Mr Richards has updated residents on developments and his actions so far.
Whitestone have updated their proposed plans following feedback, he has been told - and he is now expecting a meeting with the company in the weeks ahead to hear details of those changes.
He intends to pass that information on when it has been shared.
The MP said: “Since the plans first emerged in late 2024, I have consistently opposed this proposal because of its sheer scale and the impact it would have on our communities and Green Belt land.”
He has held “numerous” meetings with residents in communities including Harthill, Woodall, Aston, Brampton-en-le-Morthen, Ulley, Upper Whiston and has held meetings with Whitestone to communicate their concerns.
He states that has resulted in a 25 per cent cut in the size of the proposal, with some fields taken out of the scheme and “limited mitigation” in some areas.
According to Mr Richards some of the concerns raised over Whitestone’s Environmental Statement, concerning the impact of the development, “remain unresolved”.
“While some changes have been made, I have been clear at every stage that they do not go far enough.
“This remains an industrial-scale development on Green Belt land, with serious unresolved issues around visual impact, proximity to homes, construction access, battery storage safety, loss of agricultural land, and the lack of clear community benefit.
“I fully support expanding renewable energy, but not at the expense of our communities. That position has not changed,” he said.
The Whitestone development is so large that it will sidestep normal arrangements for planning permission, with a decision to be taken at Government level.
Rotherham Council is also taking an active interest in the proposals, but under the circumstances acts as a consultant, rather than a decision-maker.