Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park

Latest updates

1. 9 Apr 26

   Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park Update

   As a result of public and consultee feedback, we have made further updates to the project layout. Local concern about fire safety and visual impact combined with the results of the ongoing Grid Reform process, has resulted in the BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) being removed from the site layout and therefore no longer forms part of the Development. The updated layout can be downloaded below.

   Further design amendments are reflected in the updated plans and documents that have been submitted to the Council for a further round of consultation. Details of the design changes made, together with the justification for those amendments, are set out in Section 6.2.5 of the Planning Design and Access Statement, but in summary:

   • All PV panels have been removed from Field 5 so that there is no impact on the setting of Morthen Hall, a Grade II* listed building. This area is now proposed to be used for skylark mitigation and grassland habitat creation;

   • The area within Field 6 that was previously allocated for the BESS near to the substation has been reallocated for solar PV development; and

   • In Field 4, a portion of panels adjacent to the north eastern boundary have been removed to reduce potential visual impacts on nearby residential properties located along Morthen Lane and Morthen Road. This area is now provided with a linear block of woodland.

   • A reduction in woodland planting between Fields 1 and 2 and Fields 3 and 4. A small area of proposed woodland is retained in the northwest of the field with the main use remaining as arable land with a tussocky grassland margin for the benefit of breeding skylarks;

   • Additional scrub planting and hedgerows included, particularly in the southern part of the site, to provided better connectivity corridors for bats and a more sympathetic buffer zone land use around ancient woodland.

   The Council will now be undertaking a round of consultation on the amended plans ahead of making a decision on the application. Any comments from members of the public on the revised proposals should be directed to the Council for their consideration using the below link.

   Planning Portal

   Comments can still be directed to the project team by using the contact form at the bottom of the project page.

2. 10 Jun 25

   Planning Application Validated

   Our planning application for the Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park has been submitted to and validated by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Any representations or comments on the application from interested parties should be submitted directly to the council using the online form under the ‘Comments’ section on the application or via email to development.management@rotherham.gov.uk quoting the application reference number RB2025/0714.

   Link to Application

3. 21 May 25

   Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park Planning Submission

   We have now submitted a full planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Once the application has been validated, we will provide full details and links to the application where comments can be submitted.

   You can still continue to direct questions to the project team by emailing thurcroft@exagen.co.uk or using the contact form on our dedicated project page using the link below.

4. 3 Apr 25

   Project Non EIA

   Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council provided their EIA Screening Opinion following our request which confirms that the development is not considered EIA development and the planning application does not require an Environmental Statement be submitted as part of the planning application. This confirms that the development is not likely to have significant effects on the environment.

   That said a robust assessment of potential environmental effects arising from the Development, and any required mitigation, will be undertaken and the following technical reports will be submitted as part of the planning application: Landscape and Visual Appraisal with Landscape Mitigation Plan, Heritage Statement (including geophysical survey), Ecological Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Transport Statement/ Construction Traffic Management Plan, Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy and Glint and Glare Assessment.

5. 1 Apr 25

   Post Consultation Amendments

   Following our public consultation events, we are collating all feedback and responses to refine our planned site layout.

   We will ensure to keep the community informed as we make progress and update our plans ahead of a planning submission.

6. 31 Mar 25

   Webinar Presentation

   Should you not be able to attend in-person, the project team will host an online webinar, a recording of which will be available using the below link.

   6:30pm
   31st March

   bit.ly/3EVMuL5

7. 27 Mar 25

   Drop-in Session - Wickersley Community Centre

   The drop in event is hosted by our project team to discuss the project design, key information and to answer any questions.

   Wickersley Community Centre
   S66 1JJ
   27th March
   12:30 – 17:30

8. 26 Mar 25

   Drop-in Session - Whiston Parish Hall

   The drop in event is hosted by our project team to discuss the project design, key information and to answer any questions.

   Whiston Parish Hall
   S60 4HX
   26th March
   12:00 – 17:30

9. 24 Mar 25

   EIA Screening

   We have this week submitted our request for an EIA Screening Opinion for our Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park. The request is submitted to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council with the purpose to ask the Council if they feel a future planning application would need to include a full Environmental Impact Assessment, reported in an Environmental Statement. This is an additional requirement for some planning applications under the Town and Country Planning EIA Regulations 2017. We have provided the council with a site boundary and a report setting out why we consider an EIA is not required. The Council will consider the request and provide their opinion within 21 days.

   Despite our view that an EIA is not required we would like to reassure residents that a very comprehensive planning application will be submitted including a Landscape and Visual Appraisal, Heritage Statement, Ecological Impact Assessment, BNG Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy, Noise Assessment, Glint and Glare Assessment, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Transport Statement and Construction Traffic Management Plan. Input from these studies will inform our final design for the solar farm ensuring that environmental effects are comprehensively considered.

   This request is very separate to the main planning application which will follow later. We will update our website again when we do submit our planning application and provide a link to the application page on the Councils portal. It is at that point where local residents can submit representations to the Council about the planning application.

10. 4 Mar 25

    Door knocks with nearby properties

    Two members of the project team met with the most nearby  properties to the project to inform them of the proposals and discuss feedback.