OnPath Energy completes first phase of planting at new South Yorkshire solar energy project
Completing the first phase of planting now will give the hedgerow time to mature and get fully established over the summer before construction work begins.”
Where are we today?
Common Farm Solar Park was granted planning permission by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in May 2023.
We are now nearing the construction phase for Common Farm. In June 2025, we will begin work on a new site entrance with main construction work expected to commence in August and operations projected to begin in early 2027.
49MW
generation capacity
18,800
homes powered by the site each year
11,470
tonnes of CO2 displaced each year
50MW
electricity storage onsite
£50,000
annual community benefit fund
About
Solar energy alongside wind, will play a key role in achieving net-zero emissions for the UK in the coming decades.
The south-facing Common Farm site was selected as offering the best opportunity to host a high-capacity solar farm that links directly into the nearby electricity substation. The local electricity grid has sufficient capacity to accommodate our proposed site, which will have a generation capacity of around 49MW.
Read on to discover the wide range of social, economic, and environmental benefits the Common Farm Solar Park will bring to the local community, while supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy.
Your dedicated point of contact
Introducing your Partnership & Community Manager
Hi, I’m Tom, your dedicated point of contact at OnPath Energy as the Community & Partnerships manager for Common Farm. It is my job to make sure we keep the local community informed during this phase of development as well as taking on any feedback that will help us deliver a good project. I’m looking forward to working with you and your community as we build the project and the community benefit funds of up to £50,000 are made available. You can contact me with any questions that you have about the project directly.
M: 07386 677 219
T: 0330 335 8010
E: tom.chaplin@onpathenergy.com
Key facts
- Potential amount of electricity generated: Installed capacity of around 49MW which would provide enough electricity for approximately 18,800 homes each year.
- Potential electricity storage: Up to 50 MW
- Location: Land surrounding Common Farm, north of Todwick Road on the western approach into Dinnington
- Land used by solar panels: Approximately 116 hectares
- Previous land use: Low grade agricultural farmland
- Lifespan: 40 years in operation
- Construction period: c. 20 months
- Panel height: c. 3.4 metres
- Connection to electricity grid: Thurcroft substation
- Footpaths / bridleways: No closure or diversions of existing footpaths/bridleways necessary
- Traffic management during construction: Access to the site will be via Long Road / Common Road
- Decommissioning: Infrastructure will be removed with the site returned to farmland at the end of the project.
A comprehensive traffic management plan
The main traffic route agreed in the traffic management plan is via the M1, existing onto the A57, then B6463, onto Pocket Handkerchief Lane and then Long Road where a new site access will be created. Consultation with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) in association with the planning application confirmed that this was the preferred route for construction vehicles to access the site from the wider highway network.
News
Latest news from Common Farm
OnPath Energy chooses AECOM as lead consultant for South Yorkshire solar energy project
The Common Farm Solar Energy Park will bring a wide range of direct environmental, energy security and community benefits to the local area”
