A local council does not support Botley West Solar Farm ‘as it stands’
The council will be considering its final response to the proposals today
West Oxfordshire District Council says it does not support the proposals Botley West Solar Farm ‘as it stands’.
The £800m project would cover 1,000 hectares, which is mostly owned by the Blenheim Palace Estate.
At a meeting today, the council will be considering their final response to the proposals, covers a range of topics, such as the impact on heritage and landscape, ecology and nature conservation.
They will also consider flood risk, ground conditions, minerals and waste, traffic and transport, public rights of way, noise and vibration, climate change, socioeconomic impacts, human health, agricultural land use, air quality and aviation impacts.
The Council say their response reiterates they it “does not support the proposal as it stands as, it has significant shortcomings that have not been addressed.”
It will also say the developer has not listened sufficiently to a range of concerns highlighted by the council and local communities.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We have been clear from the inception of this proposal that the Council must follow this NSIP application process precisely and correctly and we will therefore provide a well-considered, evidence-based response.
“By taking this approach, we have made a properly informed and impactful submission based on evidence that will carry more weight.
“Unfortunately, the developers have proceeded to examination without taking the concerns put forward by this council and local communities into account.
“The committee will be considering a representation from this council that states we do not support the plans as they are submitted. I would expect the Examining Authority to give serious weight to our submission as agreed by the Development Control Committee, and therefore, this Council.
“We will also continue to represent our communities at the hearings with the Planning Inspector over the coming weeks and months. I will personally, as Leader of the Council, make a request to speak at the examination.”
The Development Control Committee meeting will take place on 2 June at 2pm in the Committee Rooms in the Council’s Woodgreen Office.
The ultimate decision on approval for the solar farm sits with Secretary for State after the Planning Inspectorate provide a view on if they feel it meets the national criteria.