The Doncaster Council Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on 16 December 2025 to discuss a schedule of planning applications, and to note recent appeal decisions. The meeting will include discussion of a proposed solar farm near Marr, a residential development in Conisbrough, and a retrospective application for industrial storage in Cadeby.

Marr Solar Farm

The committee will consider a report about a full planning permission request for a solar farm on land south of Barnsley Road and to the east and west of Marr Grange Lane, Marr.

The application seeks permission for a temporary period of 40 years, for the installation of a 40MWac capacity solar farm, together with associated infrastructure, engineering works, access and landscaping, on a 77-hectare site comprising 2 parcels of agricultural land to the south of Marr and west of the A1(M).

According to the Pre-Committee Amendments - 16 December 2025 Does not form part of the agenda 16th-Dec-2025 14.00.pdf document, Nick Balliger, Pamela Moorhouse (representing Marr Parish Council), and Councillors Cynthia Ransome, Oliver Bloor, and Rachel Reed are scheduled to speak in opposition to the application. Lee Adams from Enviromena (the applicant) is scheduled to speak in support. Mark Harding (also from Enviromena) is expected to be present to answer technical questions.

The Pre-Committee Amendments - 16 December 2025 Does not form part of the agenda 16th-Dec-2025 14.00.pdf document notes that two objections have been withdrawn, reducing the total number of representations to 1,275.

The document also notes that the applicant believes the site should be considered 'grey belt' land¹ because the harm identified has been outweighed by public benefits. However, officers have sought a legal opinion and do not agree that a recent appeal decision cited by the applicant supersedes a prior decision. The document states that both cases should be afforded the same weight, and that the Planning Inspectorate are taking different approaches on this matter.

The applicant has also requested that the report be amended to reference energy security as a separate benefit to renewable energy and climate change. Officers agree that distinguishing energy security from the environmental benefits brought from renewable energy would be consistent with NPPF para. 160.

Land off Old Road, Conisbrough

The committee will also consider a report about a proposed residential development with public open space, access, landscaping and associated infrastructure on land off Old Road, Conisbrough.

According to the Pre-Committee Amendments - 16 December 2025 Does not form part of the agenda 16th-Dec-2025 14.00.pdf document, Councillor Rachel Reed is scheduled to speak in opposition to the application. Rachael Martin (from ID Planning) is scheduled to speak in support. Rob Harding (from Vistry), Wayne Walke (an engineer), and Phil Owen (from Highways) are also expected to be present to answer any questions.

Land south of Quarry, Garden Lane, Cadeby

The committee will also consider a report about a retrospective planning application for the change of use of vacant land to industrial storage on land south of Quarry, Garden Lane, Cadeby.

According to the Pre-Committee Amendments - 16 December 2025 Does not form part of the agenda 16th-Dec-2025 14.00.pdf document, Mr Stephen Shersby (Chairman of Cadeby Parish Council) is scheduled to speak in opposition to the application.

Appeal Decisions

The committee will note the following appeal decisions:

• Appeal Dismissed 10/11/2025 - 24/02108/CPE - Certificate of existing lawful use for an air source heat pump at 6 Shires Close, Sprotbrough.
• Appeal Allowed 25/11/2025 - 25/00540/FUL - Erection of ground storey extensions to the front and rear and a first floor extension to side above existing utility and garage, which will be converted into a room at 2 Somerton Drive, Bessacarr.
• Appeal Dismissed 17/11/2025 - 25/00725/CPE - Certificate of existing lawful use of Flats 6-9 (formerly 5 a,b, c and d) for a period in excess of 4 years prior to 25 April 2024 at Flats 6-9, 114 Bentley Road, Bentley.
• Appeal Dismissed 20/11/2025 - 25/00587/FUL - Erection of 2no. detached 2 storey dwellings with associated parking and landscaping at Land Adjacent To St Johns Church, Church Road, Adwick Upon Dearne.
• Appeal Dismissed 21/11/2025 - 25/00405/PIP - Erection of self-build 3-bed detached dormer bungalow in existing garden (Permission in principle) at Garden Of Moss Lodge, Bar Croft Lane, Moss.
• Appeal Dismissed 20/11/2025 - 25/00212/FUL - Siting of domestic caravan for permanent residence at Long Drive Farm, Limestone Hill, Rotherham Road, Tickhill.
• Appeal Dismissed 17/11/2025 - 25/01354/ADV - Display of 2x internally illuminated LED advertising boards (height 2.88m, width 5.76 and depth 0.35) at Land Adjacent To 2, Clay Lane, Clay Lane.
• Appeal Dismissed 17/11/2025 - 25/01438/FUL - Change of use of vacant land to a hand car wash, including installation of a temporary office modular building and 2 modular storage units and the removal of bollards to allow for a one way traffic system (Retrospective) at Wheatley Hotel, Thorne Road, Wheatley Hills.