Whitestone Solar Project: Treeton Parish Council Stands Firm

25 July, 2026

Treeton Parish Council Remains Strongly Opposed to the Proposed Whitestone Solar Development

Treeton Parish Council continues to strongly oppose the proposed Whitestone Solar Project and remains committed to challenging the development throughout every stage of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

The Council’s opposition is based on significant concerns regarding the scale and impact of the proposal, including the loss of Green Belt land, the long-term use of agricultural land, impacts on the landscape, biodiversity, local infrastructure, highway networks and the character of Treeton and surrounding communities.

The Council also remains deeply concerned about the adequacy of the consultation process undertaken by Whitestone Solar Limited. In the view of Treeton Parish Council, the consultation undertaken to date has not provided residents with a meaningful, transparent or sufficiently detailed opportunity to understand the full scale and consequences of the proposed development.

A Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Affecting Local Communities

The Whitestone Solar Project is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and would represent one of the largest solar developments proposed in the region.

The proposed development covers approximately 3,400 acres of land and would affect communities across Whitestone 1, 2 and 3, including Treeton, Ulley, Brampton-en-le-Morthen, Thurcroft, Ravenfield, Whiston, Aston, North and South Anston, Harthill, Kiveton Park, Wales, Woodall, Thorpe Salvin, Conisbrough, Micklebring and surrounding areas.

More than 33,000 households are located across the wider area that could be affected by the proposals, with impacts extending well beyond the immediate development boundary.

Treeton Parish Council believes that a development of this scale requires robust scrutiny and genuinely meaningful engagement with all affected communities.

Concerns Regarding the Consultation Process

Treeton Parish Council has formally raised concerns with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council regarding what it considers to be serious shortcomings in Whitestone’s consultation approach.

The Council believes that residents were not provided with sufficient information or opportunity to fully understand the proposals, particularly given the complexity and scale of the development.

During the informal consultation stage, the Council raised concerns that:

  • No consultation event was held in Treeton despite the village being significantly affected by the proposals.
  • Public events were limited in number across a large geographical area.
  • Information presented at events was difficult for residents to interpret, with maps and materials not clearly showing the location and impact of proposed infrastructure.
  • Local concerns could not always be adequately addressed due to limited knowledge of the area demonstrated by project representatives.

The Council believes that, following this stage, many residents remained unaware of the potential scale and implications of the proposed development.

Statutory Consultation Concerns

Treeton Parish Council also raised concerns regarding the statutory consultation process, including the lack of clarity around important elements of the development.

At the time of consultation, residents were not provided with sufficient detail regarding the proposed locations of key infrastructure, including:

  • Cable corridors.
  • Battery storage areas.
  • Primary and secondary substations.
  • Associated infrastructure.

The Council considers these details fundamental to understanding the true impact of the proposal and believes residents were asked to comment on a project that remained insufficiently defined.

The statutory consultation period lasted six weeks, which the Council considers inadequate given the scale, complexity and potential long-term consequences of the development.

Long-Term Impact on Agricultural Land and the Countryside

One of the Parish Council’s principal concerns is the long-term impact that the Whitestone Solar Project would have on agricultural land and the rural landscape.

While solar developments are often described as temporary, the proposed operational lifespan of the project is expected to extend for many decades. Solar panels typically have a design life of around 60 years, meaning substantial areas of land could be removed from their current use for at least a generation and potentially longer.

The Council believes residents should carefully consider what this could mean for the future of the countryside, local food production, landscape character and the long-term stewardship of land across the affected area.

The scale of the proposal means that its impact would not be temporary in any practical sense for current residents, future generations or the communities that surround it.

Limited Engagement With Treeton and Surrounding Communities

Despite Treeton’s close proximity to significant elements of the proposed development, the Parish Council believes meaningful engagement with the village has been limited.

A meeting with Whitestone representatives was only arranged following intervention by local MP Sarah Champion, and many concerns raised by residents and councillors remain unresolved.

These include concerns relating to:

  • Flooding and drainage.
  • Construction traffic and access routes.
  • Biodiversity impacts.
  • Community benefits.
  • Landscape impacts.
  • The cumulative effect of multiple developments in the area.

The Council has also highlighted concerns that neighbouring communities, including Catcliffe, Waverley and Orgreave, have not received sufficient engagement despite potentially experiencing impacts arising from the wider development.

Cumulative Impact on Treeton and Surrounding Areas

Treeton Parish Council remains concerned that the cumulative impact of multiple major developments affecting the area has not been fully recognised.

Alongside the Whitestone Solar Project, the area is also facing:

  • Construction of the National Grid substation development, which has received planning approval.
  • A proposed 170-home residential development adjacent to the substation site that remains under consideration.
  • Ongoing and planned highway and bridge infrastructure works.
  • Associated utility and construction activity linked to these projects.

Current programmes indicate that construction of the National Grid substation could continue until around 2030.

Should the Whitestone Solar Project receive consent, construction activity could potentially commence during 2027. Decisions regarding the proposed housing development may also be taken during a similar period.

The Parish Council is concerned that the overlap of these significant projects could place substantial pressure on local roads, infrastructure and communities. Residents may experience prolonged disruption from construction traffic, roadworks, diversions, noise and restricted access across the area.

The Council believes these cumulative impacts require far greater consideration as part of the examination process.

Concerns Regarding Ongoing Community Engagement

Treeton Parish Council has continued to challenge Whitestone Solar Limited regarding the accessibility and effectiveness of its community engagement activities.

A Whitestone engagement event is scheduled to take place at Treeton Reading Rooms on 21 August 2026. The Parish Council has raised concerns regarding the timing of the event, which is currently scheduled during normal working hours and may limit attendance by residents who are unable to attend during the day.

Whitestone has indicated that the purpose of the event is to assist residents with the Interested Party registration process rather than to discuss the merits of the development itself.

While any opportunity for residents to access information is welcome, the Parish Council believes meaningful engagement must be accessible to all sections of the community and should provide opportunities for residents to raise questions and receive clear responses regarding the proposal and its impacts.

The Development Consent Order Process

Following submission of the Development Consent Order application to the Planning Inspectorate on 10 June 2026, the Whitestone Solar Project has now entered the pre-examination stage.

During this stage, residents, organisations and other interested parties have the opportunity to register as an Interested Party and submit a Relevant Representation.

Registration is open from 13 July to 27 August 2026.

Treeton Parish Council strongly encourages residents who have concerns about the proposed development to participate in this process and ensure their views are formally recorded.

Every Voice Matters

Submitting a Relevant Representation is not the same as signing a petition. Each submission is considered individually and helps the Examining Authority understand the concerns, experiences and views of those who may be affected.

Residents are encouraged to:

  • Register as an Interested Party with the Planning Inspectorate.
  • Submit their own Relevant Representation before the deadline.
  • Explain how the proposal may affect them, their community or the wider area.
  • Encourage friends, neighbours and family members to participate.

The Council believes that strong community participation is essential to ensure local concerns are properly considered.

Treeton Parish Council’s Continuing Commitment

Treeton Parish Council has consistently opposed the Whitestone Solar Project and will continue to do so throughout the DCO process.

The Council remains committed to:

  • Representing the views and concerns of Treeton residents.
  • Challenging aspects of the proposal where appropriate.
  • Making formal representations during the examination process.
  • Ensuring the impacts on Treeton are fully recognised.
  • Keeping residents informed about opportunities to participate.

The Council recognises the importance of renewable energy generation but believes developments of this scale must be balanced against the protection of local communities, agricultural land, the countryside and the wider environment.

Making Sure Treeton’s Voice Is Heard

The Whitestone Solar Project represents a significant and long-term change to the landscape and communities surrounding Treeton.

The Parish Council believes it is essential that the concerns of residents are properly considered before any decision is made and will continue to oppose the project at every stage of the examination process.

Residents who share these concerns are encouraged to participate in the Planning Inspectorate process and ensure their voices are heard.

Together, through meaningful participation, our communities can help ensure that local views remain at the heart of the decision-making process.