Formal plan submitted for controversial solar farm

Controversial plans for a huge solar farm on land in Doncaster and Rotherham have taken a step forward.

A formal application has been made by Whitestone Net Zero for a solar farm covering areas near Conisbrough, Ulley and Harthill with Woodall.

It was originally projected to cover 3,500 acres (5.5sq miles) but Whitestone said it had made "significant changes to the project design" following two rounds of consultation.

Doncaster and Rotherham councils have both objected and Rother Valley MP Jake Richards said he would fight the application "tooth and nail" on behalf his constituents.

The Planning Inspectorate has until 8 July to decide on the application, which could be accepted for examination, not accepted, or withdrawn by the applicant.

There is no opportunity to make comments on the application at this stage.

If it is accepted, it will progress to the pre-examination stage as part of a lengthy planning process.

Labour MP Richards said: "The vast majority of my constituents are not against renewable energy but the sheer scale of this project will be a scar across the gorgeous countryside that we all enjoy in South Yorkshire.

"A lot of communities are really worried about these plans.

"What has essentially started now is the formal process.

"During those first two rounds of consultation, I always objected to the proposal but I was also trying to work with the developer to make sure the proposal was as good as it could be.

"However, we've reached a new stage now because this is the formal application and the clock is ticking for a decision in the next 18 months or so.

"My attitude has hardened as the plans I've seen are nowhere near appropriate for the area and I'll be fighting it tooth and nail from now on."

Whitestone said the area it was looking to develop was now 37% smaller than the original proposals.

It said: "We presented our initial proposals in autumn 2024 during the first consultation.

"This original masterplan presented all of the land that we were considering to include in the project and those areas that could be used for solar panels and other infrastructure, known as the developable area.

"In response to feedback from that consultation, we reduced these areas by a quarter to create offsets around homes, villages and public rights of way.

"After the second consultation in autumn 2025, we responded to feedback and further reduced these areas around homes, villages and environmentally sensitive locations."

Whitestone said new energy projects could only connect into the National Grid at locations where there was available capacity, such as Brinsworth.

Once it had secured the grid connection agreement, it looked for land nearby that would be suitable for solar.

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