Developers urged to scale down solar farm plans

If approved, the solar farm would cover about 4,940 acres in South Yorkshire

Developers hoping to build a solar farm spanning parts of Rotherham and Doncaster which would be the UK's largest have been urged by councillors to withdraw the plans.

If approved, the 750MW development would cover about 4,940 acres (2,000 hectares) from Conisbrough to Woodall.

However, Rotherham councillor Jamie Baggaley has put forward a motion to be discussed later this week asking developers to "hear the voices of local residents" and significantly scale back the plans.

Developers said the sites had been chosen due to their proximity to Brinsworth substation, which would connect the solar farm to the National Grid and avoid high quality agricultural land.

The solar farm would be the first Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project to apply for planning permission in the Rotherham area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Impact on historic scale'

In his motion, to be discussed by a full Rotherham Council meeting on Wednesday, Baggaley, Labour councillor for Rother Vale, said the proposal by Green Nation and Net Zero One had "already attracted significant local concerns".

"It would disrupt more than 60 rights of way, force significant traffic for construction and maintenance along narrow countryside roads, remove land from agricultural use, and alter the appearance and landscape value of miles of local countryside. It would be an impact on an historic scale," the motion stated.

"If developed as it is currently proposed, there is no clear benefit to local communities. Residents who would face the most direct consequences of the development are not currently expected to see any direct benefits to their energy bills or local employment."

Chris Read, Labour council leader, has already written to the secretary of state for energy security and net zero warning that large-scale rural solar projects could undermine public support for the government's net zero targets.

Rotherham's three MPs - Jake Richards, John Healey and Sarah Champion - have also objected, along with parish councils.

The site's developers have said the solar farm would make a significant contribution to national energy goals to reduce energy costs, create energy security and fight against climate change.

The developers are not expected to submit a formal planning application until next May.

As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the final decision will be made by the government, though Rotherham Council's planning officers will prepare a local impact report as part of the process.

If approved, the motion put forward by Baggaley would formally record that the Whitestone Solar Farm "does not enjoy the support" of the full council and would call on the developer to withdraw its current plans.

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