Residents urged to attend Doncaster solar farm meetings as deadline nears
Residents are being urged to have their say
Residents are being urged to have their say on plans for a huge solar farm near Doncaster as a planning deadline nears.
Residents across Conisbrough, Clifton, Firsby, Micklebring, Braithwell, Ravenfield and surrounding communities are being encouraged to attend a series of free public information and registration events to find out more about the proposed Whitestone Solar Farm and how they can continue to have their say before the Planning Inspectorate’s 27 August deadline.
Save Our Greenbelt Conisbrough Parks has organised the events to help local people understand the next stage of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) examination and, if they wish, register as an Interested Party.
The community group says that, despite previous consultation events and publicity, many residents across both Doncaster and Rotherham still do not fully understand the true scale of the proposal by Green Nation or how they can continue to have their say now that the application is being examined by the Planning Inspectorate.
The Whitestone Solar Farm proposal would see more than 1,000 acres of Green Belt around Conisbrough Parks covered with solar panels, together with associated infrastructure including underground cabling and a substation to the north of Conisbrough.
The area affected includes an important historic landscape containing the Romano-British Villa, a Scheduled Monument, the medieval Deer Park, the setting of Conisbrough Castle, medieval pottery remains at Firsby Lane and numerous recorded archaeological sites, alongside productive farmland and valued countryside enjoyed by local communities.
Events will be held at Conisbrough Library on Friday 14 August – 11.00am to 2.00pm, Saturday 15 August – 10.00am to 1.00pm at Clifton Village Church, Wednesday 12 August – 6.00pm to 8.00pm ayt The Masters House, Braithwell, Thursday 13 August – 4.00pm to 7pm High St, Braithwell.
A spokesperson for Save Our Greenbelt Conisbrough Parks said:“Many people have already taken the time to respond to Green Nation during the consultation process, but we’re concerned that some believe that’s the end of it. It isn’t.
“These sessions are simply about helping people understand the process and ensuring that anyone who wishes to have their say has the opportunity to do so.