The project, named Whitestone Solar Farm, would encompass a number of separate parcels of land, including farmland near the M18, south of Bramley and Wickersley, as well as large fields on both sides of the M1, south of its junction with the M18. This also includes areas around Ulley, Aston, and Brampton, as well as land extending towards North and South Anston, and areas between Treeton and Whiston.
Potential sites are also being considered near Kiveton Park, Harthill, and Woodall.
Because of the size of the solar farm, the applicant would need to obtain permission from Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, rather than Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
Our local Labour MP, Mayor and Labour councillors have deliberately stayed silent, refusing to speak out against the destruction of the Rother Valley countryside. They are inaccurately trying to say it is a choice between solar farms or housing, knowing people would prefer the first if it was just a binary choice. But, the reality is that this land is Green Belt and no housing can be built on it.
My view on this plan -
1. Red Ed and Starmer’s decision to allow solar farms on food growing land is wrong.
2. the war on farming is forcing farmers to sell land. The basic farming economics means farmers are left with little choice than to sell land for solar farms and housing, but every farmer I speak to doesn’t want this. Farmers want to farm. Their hand is being forced and this government is tightening it. For tenant farmers, solar farms is driving them off the land.
3. We will regret in the future the systematic destruction of our countryside.
4. Government solar policy should be focussed at getting solar panels on commercial, industrial, transport (including car parks) and domestic roofs.
5. Food security must be made a priority for Starmer - not a war on farming.
While I was MP I submitted concerns about the (relatively) small solar farms planned for our area. Now, most of you will be aware new plans have ramped solar farming to a whole new stratosphere.
Do you agree with my points? Do you support the solar farms planned for Rother Valley? Let me know.
Local Conservatives and I want to know what you think.
More information on the proposals can be viewed at https://whitestonesolarfarm.co.uk/proposals/
