Conisbrough solar farm group vows not to spoil castle view
September 22, 2025
Solar farm plan changed to protect castle view
Shaun WoodwardA group aiming to build a large solar farm near Conisbrough Castle says it has made “significant changes to the project” amid fears it would spoil the view of the 12th Century structure.
The Whitestone Solar Farm could power 250,000 homes, but the proposal has prompted objections from residents who said the land was of “historical and archaeological significance”.
Following a first round of consultation in January, Whitestone said to had “updated the masterplan” in response to the key issues that were raised.
Changes to the plans include cutting the number of panels to reduce their visual impact near the castle and create more space around nearby homes and rights of way.
WhitestoneThe total area of land on which the solar panels will be built has been reduced from 1,100 hectares to 734 hectares.
A further 637 hectares would be planted with wildflowers or native grasses and used for environmental mitigation and enhancement, the developers said.
The proposed solar farm would be located in greenbelt land across three sections: Whitestone 1 in the north near Conisbrough, Whitestone 2 in the centre around Ulley, and Whitestone 3 in the south near Harthill and Woodall.
Developers said the sites had been selected due to their proximity to Brinsworth substation, which would connect the solar farm to the National Grid.
Addressing concerns raised by locals, it has vowed to remove panels from a field south of the town so the nearest panel is now about three quarters of a mile (more than 1km) from the castle to minimise potential impacts.
Other changes include removing panels around existing public rights of way to ensure a minimum of 50ft (15m) between the panels and path and, in many cases, even further by removing an entire field of panels to one side of the path “to retain a sense of openness”.
Simon ThakeWhitestone developers Green Nation and Net Zero One Ltd have now started a second round of consultation which runs until 28 October.
Seven community public information events have also been booked across the region to present their amended plans.
As the Whitestone project would generate more than 50MW of energy, it is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
This means the group needs to apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO) which will be decided at a national level by the Secretary of State.
A spokesperson for Save Our Greenbelt Conisbrough, which has campaigned against the solar farm, said they were still “digesting” the post-consultation plans but would respond in due course.
Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Search
RECENT PRESS RELEASES
Related Post
