I’ve been lucky to grow up in Wickersley, Thurcroft, and Whiston—villages surrounded by beautiful green countryside that’s always felt like home. These open spaces have been where I walk, run, and find peace. But now they’re at risk.

Plans to build huge solar farms across our greenbelt aren’t about clean energy—they’re about profit. Developers are targeting our land because it’s cheaper, not because it’s the best place for solar panels.

If this goes ahead, we could see:

House prices drop by up to 20%
The permanent loss of green spaces we all enjoy
Our peaceful villages turned into industrial sites
We’re not against renewable energy—but there are better places for it, like brownfield or industrial land. Let’s not lose what makes our villages special when there are other options.

If you care about protecting our countryside and way of life, please sign this petition. Let’s speak up before it’s too late.

You can also comment directly on the application here:

https://planning.rotherham.gov.uk/fastweblive/comment.asp?AltRef=RB2025/0714&

Details of the project (including map):

https://exagen.co.uk/projects/thurcroft-interchange-energy-park/