Whitestone Solar Farm is a proposed large-scale solar and battery storage project between Rotherham and Doncaster. The project aims to generate up to 750 MW of clean electricity, enough to power approximately 250,000 homes.
Because of its size, it is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means a national government-level decision will be required for its approval.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are major infrastructure developments in England and Wales that are determined at a national level by the Secretary of State on the advice of a Government Planning Inspector.
Read the latest Planning Inspectorate update on the Whitestone Solar Farm application.
The Whitestone Solar Farm applicant is Green Nation.
Read the Green Nation web page for Whitestone Solar Farm.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)
NSIPs include proposals for power plants, large renewable energy projects, new airports, airport extensions, and major road projects.
Instead of applying to Rotherham Council for Planning Permission, a developer must apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a different permission called a Development Consent Order (DCO).
What happens next
Rotherham Council is a host authority and we are required to advise the Planning Inspectorate on the local impact and respond within statutory timescales. The NSIP process has clear stages, with clear timetables. These stages are:
- pre-application – when the developer will be developing their proposals and will consult the public and technical bodies
- acceptance - the Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to decide whether the application meets the required standards to proceed to examination. This includes deciding whether the developer’s consultation has been adequate or not
- pre-examination - all those with interests can register to be kept informed of progress. The Examining Authority will hold a Preliminary Meeting and set the timetable for the examination
- examination - representations are made in writing and requests to speak at a public hearing. The Examining Authority has six months to carry out the examination
- decision - a recommendation to the Secretary of State will be issued by the Examining Authority within three months of the examination closing. The Secretary of State then has a further three months to issue a decision on the proposal
- post decision - there is the opportunity for legal challenge.
Local impact report
We as a host authority comment and advise. At the examination stage we submit a Local Impact Report (LIR) which the Inspector must consider.
In light of our responsibilities, our LIR may cover the following matters: Planning (Minerals and Waste); Economic Development (investment & growth); Transport and Highways including Rights of Way; Local Flood issues; Heritage and Archaeology; Ecology; Landscape; Public Health, Climate Change and Energy.
Your Questions Answered
Read frequently asked questions on the National Infrastructure Planning Inspectorate website.
Your guide to NSIPs
Read the Planning Inspectorate's guide to NSIPs and how you can have your say.
Your comments
Rotherham Council Planning Department cannot collect individual residents comments or observations. The applicant must carry out wide-ranging consultation about their project before they can submit their application to the Planning Inspectorate and anyone can respond to the applicant’s consultation.
If a NSIP application is accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination, only members of the public who register to have their say during the pre-examination stage, and therefore become an interested party, have a right to be involved in the examination of the application.
Register to have your say
Members of the public who wish to have their views about an NSIP taken into account by the Examining Authority, must become an interested party.
Read about how to become an interested party.
At present, Whitestone Solar Farm is the only NSIP in Rotherham.
Email Rotherham Council Planning team with any question not covered by the NSIPs website and other website links on the page above: development.management@rotherham.gov.uk
