400kV electricity substation at Land at Long Lane, Whiston

“RB2025/1468 - https://rotherham.planportal.co.uk/?id=RB2025/1468 Proposal and Location Erection of a new 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation including gantries, internal access roads, a GIS building, parking, drainage, emergency diesel generator, lighting and CCTV, permanent access road from Long Lane, earthworks, landscaping and biodiversity enhancement, and fencing and the permanent realignment of Whiston Footpath 10 Recommendation A.”

“In addition to the main building, the proposals include associated electrical equipment, gantries and ancillary infrastructure required for the safe and effective operation of the facility. Internal access roads and parking areas would be provided within the site to accommodate operational and maintenance activities, alongside drainage infrastructure, lighting, CCTV and perimeter fencing.”

“The application site consists of an area of land located off Long Lane, Whiston, Rotherham, set within a predominantly rural environment. The land is currently undeveloped and comprises open fields with grassland coverage, interspersed with areas of existing vegetation. Site levels vary gently across the parcel, reflecting the natural topography of the surrounding landscape, and there are no permanent buildings currently present on the site.”

“Long Lane forms the principal local access route adjacent to the site, connecting into the wider road network, while a public right of way crosses the area, contributing to recreational use of the landscape. A Scheduled Ancient Monument is located nearby, representing an important heritage asset within the site’s setting.”

“RB1990/1779 - Outline for erection. of a centre for industrial/employment regeneration – WITHDRAWN”

“Adjacent application under consideration:”

“The assessment above concludes that the developments is on Grey Belt land and represents not inappropriate development within the Green Belt and is therefore acceptable in principle.”

“Furthermore, even if it were to be concluded that the proposal did not represent an appropriate type of Grey Belt development, very special circumstances are considered to exist by virtue of the need for important National Grid infrastructure to justify the development within the Green Belt as per paragraph 153 of the NPPF.”

“RMBC – Transportation Infrastructure Service: No objections subject to conditions, following the receipt of amended plans…”

“RMBC - Public Rights of Way Officer: No objections subject to appropriate diversion taking place.”

“The application has been advertised by way of site notices along with individual neighbour notification letters to adjacent properties. 345 letters of objection have been received. One letter of support has been received.”

“A petition against the proposal has been received, signed by 61 people…”

“£24,954 towards Biodiversity Net Gain Monitoring over a period of thirty years.”

“(b) subject to the satisfactory signing of the agreement application RB2025/1468 be granted for the reasons adopted by Members at the meeting and subject to the relevant conditions listed in the submitted report.”