Agenda item

Further to Minute No. 45 of the meeting of the Planning Board held on 27^th November, 2025 and Minute No. 67 of the meeting of the Planning Board held on 19^th March, 2026, 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.

The Planning Board were advised that at the time the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) sought the Council’s views, comments were requested solely on the adequacy of the applicant’s pre-application consultation. The Council’s review concluded that, although the applicant had undertaken a programme of engagement with statutory consultees and the local community in line with its Statement of Community Consultation significant concerns had been raised by Parish Councils and local residents regarding the quality and effectiveness of the engagement. The Council had also raised concerns about potential failures to serve Section 42 notices on some affected landowners. Despite these issues, the Planning Inspectorate concluded that the statutory consultation requirements had been met, and consequently the Planning Inspectorate accepted the application on 3rd July 2026.

The application had now entered the pre-examination stage, which was expected to run until October 2026 with interested parties being required to register with the Planning Inspectorate by 27 August 2026 to participate in the examination process.  It was emphasised that only those who register by this date would be able to participate in the examination process and submit written representations.

During the pre-examination stage, the Council would prepare key documents, including the Local Impact Report and Statement of Common Ground, supported by technical and legal advisers, and would continue engagement with the applicant, statutory consultees, local communities and other stakeholders.

Whitestone Solar was also undertaking further engagement activity during this period, including a webinar on 20 July 2026 and community support sessions on 21 July 2026 to assist residents with registering as Interested Parties.

The formal examination stage was expected to run from October 2026 to April 2027, involving written submissions and a programme of hearings, including issue-specific, open floor and compulsory acquisition hearings with the Council playing a key role throughout the process.

A recommendation to the Secretary of State was expected following completion of the examination, with a final decision anticipated in Autumn 2027.

In receiving the update, Members expressed disappointment that the Planning Inspectorate had deemed the consultation adequate despite concerns raised by the Council, parish councils and local residents. Officers advised that the Council had submitted parish council representations and highlighted consultation concerns, but the Planning Inspectorate had concluded that the statutory requirements had been met.

Members sought assurance that Rotherham and Doncaster Councils were working together on the Local Impact Report, which officers confirmed would be prepared jointly. Officers noted that separate written representations could also be submitted on specific topics where required, although the Local Impact Report would be the key document for the Council.

Members requested a briefing note to be issued to all Members explaining the DCO process and registration requirements, which officers agreed to circulate, including the relevant Planning Inspectorate link, on behalf of the Chair.  This information would also be included in the Members Briefing.

In response to a question regarding the additional engagement by Whitestone Solar, officers advised that details of the 21 July community event would be available on the applicant’s website and noted that these activities were additional, rather than statutory, consultation.

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

(2) That a briefing note be circulated to all Members, on behalf of the Chair, setting out the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, the requirements for registering as an Interested Party, and the relevant Planning Inspectorate registration link. This information would also be included in the Members' Briefing.