Residents have voiced their strong opposition to the plan

Residents are being urged to turn out in force to oppose plans for a huge solar farm near Doncaster.

People from across Conisbrough and surrounding communities are being urged to join the Community Support Walk across Conisbrough Parks on Saturday 5 September at 11am.

Organised by campaign group Save Our Greenbelt – Conisbrough Parks, the walk is being held to demonstrate the strength of local opposition to the proposed Whitestone Solar Farm, affecting the countryside around Conisbrough Parks.

Organisers are hoping residents from Conisbrough, Clifton, Micklebring, Ravenfield, Firsby and surrounding and wider communities impacted will take part, either by joining the walk or simply coming along to the walk start point to show their support.

The meeting point is Park Lane, Sheffield Road (A630).

The event is intended to be family-friendly and people are welcome to bring a picnic.

Friendly dogs are welcome, and anyone wanting to add a little fun can even come in fancy dress.

With the area’s remarkable history, organisers say a Roman, medieval knight or other historical character would be particularly appropriate.

The campaign group says the walk is about much more than opposition to solar panels. Its concerns include the industrialisation of Green Belt countryside, loss of productive agricultural land and its implications for food security, landscape and environmental impacts, and the potential effect on the area’s heritage and archaeology.

The spokesperson added: “Conisbrough Parks and the surrounding landscape contain evidence of human activity stretching back thousands of years, including Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and medieval archaeology.

“The campaign believes these individual heritage assets should also be understood collectively and in relation to the historic landscape in which they survive.”

Philip Knight, Secretary of Save Our Greenbelt – Conisbrough Parks, said: “We want as many people as possible to come along.

“You don’t have to walk the whole route – or even walk at all.

“Come and see everyone set off, bring a picnic and show your support.

“We want Whitestone and, importantly, the Planning Inspectorate to see for themselves the strength of feeling within our communities.

“This countryside is part of our heritage and our community.

“Once a landscape like this is fundamentally changed, future generations don’t get the opportunity to make that decision again.

“We want people to be able to say that when it mattered, they stood up for it.”

Those who wish to can also obtain sponsorship for completing the walk, with money raised helping the campaign meet the costs of professional and legal advice during the forthcoming examination.

However, organisers stress that there is no requirement to raise money.

Philip added:“We know money is tight for many families. Turning up and standing shoulder to shoulder with your community is every bit as important as making a financial contribution.”

The walk takes on added significance following the extension of the deadline for people to register with the Planning Inspectorate and make a Relevant Representation on the Whitestone Solar Farm application.

The deadline is now 11.59pm on Friday 11 September 2026

Save Our Greenbelt – Conisbrough Parks says the extension followed an issue concerning paper registration forms distributed by Whitestone which had not been approved by the Planning Inspectorate.

The group believes the incident adds to concerns it has raised about the applicant’s handling of the consultation and registration process.

The campaign will therefore also have people available at the Community Walk to help residents who still need to register, particularly those who do not have internet access or who are unsure how to complete the process.

Philip said:“If you haven’t registered yet, please don’t assume you’ve missed your chance.

“The deadline has been extended to 11 September. Come and speak to us at the walk and we’ll do what we can to help.

“This is a crucial stage. We want people to use the opportunity they have been given to make sure their views are heard.”