Chambers unite to boost solar rooftop development
Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry have written to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero calling for a fundamental shift in policy - prioritising solar development on rooftops and brownfield land rather than high value farmland.
Dan Fell MBE, CEO Doncaster Chamber
The letter comes in the wake of two high-profile decisions by local authorities rejecting large-scale greenfield solar proposals.
Last month, the City of Doncaster Council passed a cross-party motion formally opposing the proposed Whitestone Solar Farm - a 750-megawatt scheme that would stretch across thousands of hectares of countryside near Conisbrough and Rotherham. The council urged the developers to withdraw or significantly scale back their plans.
Similarly, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has raised serious environmental, ecological, heritage and flood risk concerns, warning that the Whitestone proposals fail to adequately assess impacts on wildlife sites, historic buildings, landfill safety, and local landscape character.
Because Whitestone is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), final approval rests not with local councils but with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Whilst keen to stress their support of private sector investment in clean energy infrastructure and are mindful of the need not to oppose individual proposals that progress through the established planning system, in light of recent developments - and in response to growing unease among businesses - the Chambers are urging the Government to recognise the capacity of the built environment to deliver renewable energy. There is strong support among local firms for directing investment into rooftop solar on industrial, manufacturing, and logistics estates.
"A number of our warehouses now have solar panels on their roofs -and this is just the start," said Luke Fermor, Head of Global Fulfilment at Woodland Group. "With millions of square feet of warehouse rooftops sitting unused across the UK, it makes no sense to sacrifice productive farmland for solar when industrial buildings can do the job. Our ambition is for all the energy we consume to be renewable, with the majority generated on site. Once panels go up, they deliver low-cost renewable energy for many years. If policymakers prioritise rooftops and more logistics hubs commit, this shift could be transformational — environmentally and financially."
Woodland Group: potential for extensive solar panelling
The business community also draws on successful local examples. At Bluetree Group’s Manvers site, rooftop solar now supplies a meaningful portion of the firm’s electricity needs — demonstrating that companies can grow sustainably without sacrificing farmland.
Bluetree Group: solar roof investment offers economic benefits and safeguards productive farmland
“We’re proud of our rooftop solar installation,” said Jack Pearson, Energy & Sustainability Manager at Bluetree Group. “It’s concrete proof that with the right leadership and investment, businesses can cut their carbon footprint and help meet the country’s energy targets — all without endangering our countryside or farmland.”
Chamber leaders added that while they support private investment in renewable infrastructure, they believe policy and planning frameworks should better reward rooftop and brownfield schemes — especially in areas with large industrial and logistics estates.
The joint letter calls on the Secretary of State to:
Prioritise rooftop and brownfield solar proposals over greenfield farmland schemes wherever feasible;
Strengthen incentives and planning guidance to support commercial rooftop solar installations;
Engage with business groups and local authorities to accelerate solar deployment that safeguards agricultural land, rural livelihoods, biodiversity and landscape integrity.
The Chambers say they are ready to convene further discussions with government, developers, and stakeholders to help deliver a sustainable, balanced approach to renewable energy development in South Yorkshire.