Agenda item

Further to Minute No. 45 of the meeting of the Planning Board held on 27^th November, 2025, consideration was given to the report of the Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and  Transportation Service and several slides presented by officers which outlined the latest update on the Whitestone Solar Farm proposal being progressed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), requiring a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Secretary of State under the Planning Act 2008 rather than determination by the Council.

An update was provided on the role of the Council as a statutory consultee, the review by officers on the Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) and the associated response that whilst satisfied that most statutory requirements appeared to have been met,  this was not considered complete due to a number of landowners not being served with a Section 42 notice.

The Council had received a substantial amount of feedback from Parish Councils, Ward Members and residents outlining a number of concerns, but following a review of the comments received by local residents and statutory consultees the applicants have made amendments to the overall masterplan.  These updated maps and the changes were shared with Members.  These now incorporated additional reductions to the proposed solar development areas located in proximity to villages and residential properties. These revisions resulted in an overall 37% reduction in the developable area when compared with the initial proposals.

It was further highted that a review of land identified for environmental mitigation had also been undertaken which meant that areas that exceeded what was required to deliver appropriate ecological benefits have been removed from the scheme. These parcels of land would, therefore, remain outside the project boundary and continue in their existing agricultural use, supporting the applicant’s objective of maximising local agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, these amendments, together with any subsequent revisions to the Draft Environmental Statement, were anticipated to form part of the documentation submitted to PINS as part of the Development Consent Order application. The Council would be afforded the opportunity to provide representations on these matters through the preparation of its Local Impact Report.

Further detail was provided on the inclusion of the National Grid Substation and how this was progressing.  As this new substation remained subject to planning approval and had not yet been constructed, the project boundary for Whitestone included cable routes to both the existing Brinsworth substation and the proposed Long Lane site.

It was noted the Council would continue to prepare for the Local Impact Report and had instructed specialist external consultants who could provide technical expertise in key areas and assist in the compilation of the necessary reports.

Liaison had continued with the applicants with topic based meetings have been being held to discuss any issues raised.  These were likely to continue throughout the pre-application stage on various subjects.  Additionally, a Long List of developments had also been agreed to be considered within the cumulative impact assessment for the Whitestone project.  Information was provided on the expectations of cumulative assessment and how this would be based on committed development, which would include the two solar farm proposals at Ulley and Thurcroft and the proposed substation at Brinsworth on the basis that they are likely to reach determination within the NSIP assessment period.

Applications to Local Authorities determined under the Town and Country Planning Act would, however, not be required to consider the Whitestone project, as its determination would be expected after consideration of the applications.

Despite numerous requests a draft copy of the Development Consent Order had not been submitted and the Council would continue to pursue with the applicant as this would support the gathering of information and inform the Local Impact Report.

In conclusion it was noted the Whitestone Solar Farm proposal continued to progress through the NSIP pre?application process and the Council remained actively engaged in its statutory role as a host authority. Whilst the applicant had made revisions to the masterplan, several key matters remained outstanding, including confirmation of full statutory compliance, provision of the draft DCO, and clearer evidence of how consultation feedback had informed the evolving scheme.

Officers would remain actively involved scrutinising all forthcoming documentation to ensure the Council's statutory responsibilities were met and that local issues were fully and accurately represented.

Members would continue to be kept informed as the project progressed, including when the application was submitted and when further formal responses were required.  Officers would continue to prioritise transparency, statutory compliance and the protection of local interests as the project advanced towards examination.

In their receipt of the update Members asked a series of questions and received responses relating to:-

·              Adequacy of the consultation and the shortfalls in responses to residents by the applicant.

·              The short timeframes for response submissions by the Council following the submitting of the application.

·              The inadequacy of the statutory consultation process and the disillusionment for residents.

·              Welcome appointment of consultants and the potential for Members to be involved.

·              Cumulative impact of other applications on Whitestone Solar Farm.

·              National Grid Substation development.

·              Circulation of the slides presented.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the update and report be received and the contents noted.

(2)  That copies of the presentation slides be circulated for all Planning Board Members.