West Oxfordshire District Council to submit additional concerns about Botley West Solar Farm proposal

At a meeting on 24 February, the Council’s Development Control Committee considered the Council’s response to the Botley West Solar Farm proposal, raising a number of significant concerns that will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate. 

In this stage, as part of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process, the Council plays an important role in providing a view on the main issues raised by the development proposal that is now being considered by the Planning Inspectorate. 

The 'relevant representation’ covers a wide range of topics, including the impact on the landscape and its heritage, the environment, and local communities.   

At the meeting, various local representatives presented to the committee and discussed the concerns that Officers had raised in their report, with a view to clarifying the position for the Planning Inspector, who will consider the proposal in due course.  

Issues highlighted during the meeting for further consideration included; 

  • Concerns about the impact on tourism to the area 
  • The potential impact the development may have on wildlife and whether necessary mitigations are in place 
  • Plans for decommissioning and what happens when solar panels are removed at the end of their life 
  • Asking for more consideration to the loss of high-quality agricultural land  
  • Community benefits from the site should be significantly increased 
  • A concern that suggested improvements previously proposed by WODC, as a means to try to reduce the harmful impacts of the scheme, had not been taken into account by the developer 

These points will be added to a number of other issues already included in the report that the committee agreed. The agreed response will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the formal process for considering the application.  

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said,

“It was good to see the community so well represented at our meeting and I would like to thank all those who took the time to engage in this process.  

“We have been clear from the inception of this proposal that the Council must follow this NSIP application process precisely and correctly. By taking this approach, we can make a properly informed and impactful submission that will carry more weight.  

“I would urge the Planning Inspector to listen to the feedback and concerns raised by the Committee and this Council on behalf of the residents of West Oxfordshire.  

“The Committee was clear that without the necessary changes, West Oxfordshire District Council consider that the detrimental impacts of the scheme substantially outweigh its benefits.” 

Contact Information

West Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team

[email protected]

Notes to editors

  • The solar farm proposal has been submitted by Photovolt Development Partners and is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. The development can only, therefore, be authorised by submitting a Development Consent Order application to the Planning Inspectorate. Local councils play an important role as consultees in this process.  
  • It is expected that the Council will be asked to submit a Local Impact Report (LIR) in the next stage of the process which will cover very detailed evidence on likely impacts of the project on the local area. The Secretary of State must have regard to any LIR submitted when deciding the application and the inspector will be asked to give considerable importance to it in determining the outcome of the application. The work to prepare the Local Impact Report is underway.  
  • The Council has submitted consultation responses to earlier proposals highlighting a range of concerns with the including risks to the environment, the impact on communities and the low level of community benefit initially proposed by the developer. 
  • The Council has also previously expressed its disappointment that the proposal will bypass the local planning process, limiting input and decision making at a local level. 
  • 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. 
  • On 13th December 2024 the Planning Inspectorate accepted the Botley West Solar Farm Development Consent Order application for examination.  The current pre-examination phase includes a registration period, during which Interested Parties can make Relevant Representations to the Planning Inspectorate. Any parties have until 11.59pm on Thursday 27th February 2025 to submit Relevant Representation to PINS.