Concerns over supersize solar farm in Botley
Oxfordshire County Council say it could have “significant” environmental impact if it goes ahead
Last updated 7th Sep 2024
A supersize solar farm as large as Heathrow Airport could have “significant” environmental impact, Oxfordshire County Council has said.
Director of Economy and Place Robin Rogers submitted a formal letter last month on behalf of the authority which thanked developer Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP) for reaching out but said “significant work” was required.
It comes as a date has been set for the application for consent to be submitted in relation to Botley West Solar Farm, one of the largest solar farms in Europe.
Botley West would cover a total of 3,450 acres and stretch 11 miles from end to end at three sites in Woodstock, Kidlington and Botley.
More than 70 per cent of the site would cover Oxfordshire greenbelt land mostly owned by Blenheim.
In its letter, the county council listed “significant impact on local landscape character and views”, “potentially inappropriate development in the Green Belt” and “insufficient benefit to the local communities” as among its concerns.
Despite this, the council – which is currently run by a Liberal Democrat and Green administration – said in principle it supports proposals for green energy “providing there are no significant adverse environmental impacts”.
Opponents to the solar farm, such as Professor Alex Rogers of the Stop Botley West Community group, have used the opportunity to express renewed concern over the scheme.
Professor Rogers said: “We echo all the many points of concern that Oxfordshire Country Council has raised.
“These include the impact of the proposed mega solar power station on productive arable land, Green Belt land, its negative impact on local landscape character, and impacts on Public Rights of Way, hedgerows, trees, and irreplaceable ancient woodland habitat.
We are also glad that OCC has pointed out that ‘no information on the consideration of alternative sites’ to Blenheim Estate has been provided – that has long been one of our major criticisms of the Botley West proposal…it’s too big, and in the wrong place.”
A PVDP spokesman has replied to the comments.
They said: “The project team at Botley West Solar Farm has worked closely with all host local planning authorities since our proposals were launched in November 2022.
“We appreciate the issues that have been raised and are ensuring that these are carefully considered though the extensive environmental assessment work.
“Botley West Solar Farm is a response to the UK Government’s energy policy and desire to decarbonise the nation’s electricity system.
“The UK faces a shortfall in generation capacity of it does not accelerate the deployment of cheap, homegrown, zero carbon power source such as Botley West.
“Botley West is in exactly the location that is needed and represents a £1 billion investment in Oxfordshire’s electricity infrastructure.”
The spokesman went on to the claim Stop Botley West had “repeatedly criticised the project without providing any evidence”.