The Whitestone Solar Farm plan has met with widespread opposition

Protesters opposing plans to create a huge solar farm near Doncaster will stage a public meeting tonight as opposition against the project grows.

Save Our Greenbelt Conisbrough Parks will be staging the meeting from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Ivanhoe Centre, Conisbrough.

More than 10,000 objections have been submitted against the project, known as Whitestone Solar Farm, which would be built on land between Doncaster and Rotherham.

Campaign spokesperson Phillip Knight said: “A united front of residents, campaigners and politicians has emerged across South Yorkshire, with over 10,000 formal objections submitted against Green Nation's proposed Whitestone Solar Farm.

“The unprecedented response reflects deep concern about the 750MW development planned for Green Belt land across Doncaster and Rotherham.”

The grassroots Save Our Greenbelt Conisbrough Parks campaign has coordinated community action through workshops, village meetings and door-to-door engagement, helping thousands of residents submit individual objection letters.

Similar efforts have been replicated across affected communities throughout Rotherham.

All four local Labour MPs have formally objected to the scheme.

John Healey MP (Rawmarsh and Conisbrough) cites the project's "disproportionate scale," incomplete environmental and safety assessments, and an "unfair, inaccessible consultation process with no meaningful community benefits."

Sally Jameson MP (Doncaster Central) supports renewable energy in principle but objects due to "insufficient community benefits, loss of agricultural land, and weaknesses in the developer's assessments."

Sarah Champion MP (Rotherham) opposes the "loss of valuable farmland and green space," criticising inadequate consultation and warning of cumulative impacts on landscape and infrastructure.

Jake Richards MP (Rother Valley) highlights the scheme's "sheer size," significant effects on local communities, and a "poorly designed consultation period."

Both Doncaster and Rotherham Councils have passed motions opposing the development.

While the project is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and will be decided at national level, the councils' stance underscores the strength of local cross-party opposition.

Campaign organisers have criticised Green Nation's second public consultation as inadequate, citing prohibitive document costs, over-reliance on online material, absence of local events, and "excessively complex technical documentation."

The consultation relied on outdated information, including a heritage assessment that ignored the newly designated Scheduled Monument Roman Villa at Conisbrough Parks.

"The industrialisation of these fields would mean permanent loss of productive farmland, increased flood risk, and destruction of habitats supporting wildlife and local livelihoods," said a SOGB CP spokesperson.

Survey work currently underway has revealed environmental concerns including rutted soil, standing water and compacted ground, offering what campaigners describe as "a troubling glimpse into potential environmental damage."

The campaign remains active ahead of Green Nation's expected Development Consent Order submission in mid-2026, with ongoing engagement with local leaders, MPs, parish councils and community groups, alongside fundraising events and habitat surveys.