Recently, the team behind Whitestone Solar project have been in touch to let me know that they have considered local feedback via their consultation process, and have made an update to their plan as a result.

I will be meeting with them in the coming weeks to hear this update, and will provide you all with more information once I have it. In the meantime, I want to update residents on what has happened so far, setting out clearly what I’ve done on your behalf, and what comes next.

Before I continue, I want to make it clear. I am opposed to the Whitestone Solar Farm project.

Since the plans first emerged in late 2024, I have consistently opposed this proposal because of its sheer scale and the impact it would have on our communities and Green Belt land.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

• Held numerous meetings with residents across affected areas, including Harthill, Woodall, Aston, Brampton-en-le-Morthen, Ulley, Upper Whiston and surrounding villages.

• Met regularly with the developer to press residents’ concerns directly.

• Submitted formal written objections to both the first and second consultations.

• Ran a constituency-wide survey, which showed overwhelming opposition to the scheme.

• Secured a 25% reduction in the size of the proposal, including the removal of some fields and limited mitigation in specific locations.

• Challenged the short consultation period, which I believe was insufficient given the scale of the project.

• Scrutinised the Environmental Statement and made clear that many of the original concerns remain unresolved.

While some changes have been made, I have been clear at every stage that they do not go far enough. This remains an industrial-scale development on Green Belt land, with serious unresolved issues around visual impact, proximity to homes, construction access, battery storage safety, loss of agricultural land, and the lack of clear community benefit.

I fully support expanding renewable energy, but not at the expense of our communities. That position has not changed.

What happens next:

The developer has not yet submitted a formal planning application, which is expected in 2026. Before then, I will:

• Continue meeting with residents and community groups.

• Raise outstanding concerns again ahead of any formal application.

• Meet with Whitestone representatives again in the coming weeks.

I will continue to stand with residents and make sure your voices are heard at every stage of this process.

If you have concerns, questions, or information you want me to raise, please get in touch at jake.richards.mp@parliament.uk