Jake Richards MP opposes Whitestone Solar Farm.

Jake Richards MP has confirmed his opposition to the proposed Whitestone Solar Farm, which would cover huge areas of countryside in the Rother Valley constituency.   

Over the summer Jake held numerous public meetings across his constituency in Harthill, Thurcroft, Aston and Wales to hear from residents and to support them in registering as an Interested Party with the Planning Inspectorate so they can have their say in the planning process.  Hundreds of residents attended these meetings and have contacted him directly to raise their concerns. 

Jake has written to the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, to update her and to set out his concerns and to let her know that he has registered as an Interested Party. 

In Jake’s submission to the Planning Inspectorate he has highlighted some of his main concerns: the loss of countryside and farmland, the impact on wildlife and biodiversity but also the impact on local infrastructure, particularly on road networks in Rother Valley. 

Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, said:  “Thank you to everyone who has come to my meetings this summer to share their concerns about the impact of Whitestone and all those who have signed up as an Interested Party. The strength of public feeling about the negative impact of Whitestone is crystal clear.  

"I oppose Whitestone. I will do everything I can to stop this project – which is too vast in scale and would damage our beautiful area.  

"I have now registered as an Interested Party with the Planning Inspectorate so that I can continue to have my say throughout the next stages of the planning process. 

"Moving forward the only way to raise objections in the planning process is to register as Interested Party. The deadline to do this is 11.59pm next Friday, September 11. I am urging as many people as possible to sign up. 

"We need to work together to oppose the project. We are far more powerful when campaigning as a united force. I will hold further public meetings over the coming months and will continue to work with local groups such as the Whitestone Warriors, and my colleagues, John Healy MP and Sarah Champion MP, to ensure our collective voices are heard.”