UK’s biggest solar farm faces fierce backlash over Green Belt land use
Plans for the UK’s largest solar farm have sparked widespread opposition in South Yorkshire. The Whitestone Solar Farm would cover nearly 5,000 acres of Green Belt land between Doncaster and Rotherham. Locals, environmental groups, and politicians have raised concerns over its impact on agriculture, heritage sites, and the landscape.
The project, proposed by Green Nation, aims to install enough solar panels to power millions of homes by 2030. It forms part of Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband’s broader renewable energy strategy. However, the scale of the development has drawn criticism, with over 10,000 formal objections submitted.
The Whitestone Solar Farm faces significant resistance from both the public and local leaders. If approved, it would become the country’s largest solar installation but at the cost of Green Belt land and historic sites. The outcome will depend on balancing renewable energy goals with community and environmental concerns.
