Scaled-down solar plans still provoke opposition

New proposals for a large-scale solar farm on land in Rotherham and Doncaster have reduced the overall size of the project - but councillors and MPs remain unconvinced.

Whitestone Solar Farm would be one of the largest in the UK and was originally projected to cover 3,500 acres (5.5sq miles).

No formal planning application has yet been submitted but, following consultations, Whitestone Net Zero Ltd revealed it had reduced the overall size of the project by 17%, compared to original proposals.

However, elected representatives of communities close to the three proposed sites said not enough had been done.

In a newsletter published on the Whitestone Solar Farm website, the developers said they had held eight in-person information events, attended by 718 members of the local community.

The latest proposal includes a 37% reduction in the size of the developable areas within the project, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, councillor Rachel Reed, who represents Conisbrough in Doncaster for Reform UK, said: "Whilst any reduction in the proposed Whitestone Solar Farm is welcome, a development of more than 1,100 hectares is still an enormous industrialisation of our countryside."

Labour MP Jake Richards, who was elected to represent Rother Valley in 2024, said "some acute needs had been met", but added: "It's not close to being enough."

The City of Doncaster Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council both passed motions in their council chambers opposing the original plans. Doncaster Council had also previously passed a motion, with cross-party support, opposing the development of solar farms on green belt land, stating a preference for brownfield land or rooftops.

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

The project is being developed by Green Nation and Net Zero One who say it would make a significant contribution to national energy goals to reduce energy costs, create energy security and fight against climate change.

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