Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park is the latest in a series of industrial-scale energy projects threatening Rother Valley’s greenbelt. Proposed by renewable developer Exagen, the project would include a 49.9MW solar farm and 50MW battery energy storage system (BESS)—spanning three large land parcels just north-west of Thurcroft, near the M1/M18 interchange and south of Wickersley (see the image).
Unlike the larger mega-Whitestone project which is to be decided by the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project approval process, this ‘smaller’ development is to be decided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough council.
The site is currently undergoing pre-application assessments, with the developer consulting residents and preparing surveys on landscape, biodiversity, transport, noise, and visual impact. Although Exagen claims the project will benefit the national grid and biodiversity, locals and campaigners are deeply concerned.
Alexander Stafford is at the forefront of the opposition, warning that the cumulative impact of such developments—especially when combined with other recent proposals like Whitestone Solar and the proposed BESS at Kiveton Park and Swallownest —poses a serious and irreversible threat to the local environment.
“This is greenbelt land being sacrificed for industrial energy schemes. Enough is enough. These projects are creeping in under the radar, and we must stand up for our countryside before it’s too late.”
Alexander is calling for residents to continue to engage in the consultation, share their feedback, and join the campaign to stop this overdevelopment. He believes that the energy transition must not come at the cost of local communities and green spaces.
Find out more about the proposed project at:
exagen.co.uk/projects/thurcroft-interchange-energy-park
