The controversial solar farm proposal in Botley West has been denied this week by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, after concern from local councillors and residents with developers considering an appeal.
The £800m project was set to spread across 2,500 acres of the area with the energy generated able to power 330,000 homes, according to project developers Photovolt Development Partners (PDVP).
Local action groups like Stop Botley West Group consider the effect on biodiversity, nearby heritage sites, and close aviation sites too high of a consequence in the exchange for a large scale solar farm.
Vale of White Horse district council leader, Bethia Thomas, said: “Clearly in this instance, the development was inappropriate and poorly planned – and the decision reflects this.
“This sends a clear message to developers that they can’t just turn up on our doorstep and consider it a done deal if they fall under an NSIP category – without due consideration to the impacts on the community, local heritage, rural character and landscape.”
The council has previously taken efforts to proceed with eco-friendly measures with their October 2026 decarbonisation project. Solar panels have been installed at Abingdon’s White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre and at Wantage Leisure Centre.
Vale of the White Horse aims for Net Zero in the entire district by 2045, and has also initiated a Nature and Climate Action Plan with South Oxfordshire council.
"The overwhelming local feedback I got was support, and we have been working on this for five years," said PVDP development director Mark Owen-Lloyd in an interview with the BBC. “If we apply to judicial review and succeed we could come back and reframe this project, so we might reduce it [in size] or reapply.”
“But we’ve spent a lot of time on this - maybe it’s a moment to move on and do one of the other eight projects that we’ve got in the UK.”
Proposals for a 2,800 acre solar farm in Cearn are active and also receiving discontent from residents and the local council who fear that government initiatives are taking priority over community wishes.
Cllr Thomas added: “We know better than national government what is best for our communities – but we have little control in the approval process other than as a statutory consultee.”
“We will continue to urge government to listen to local voices and to do everything we can within our power to ensure that the voice of our community is listened to.”