Botley West Solar Farm

Summary

A developer is proposing a large new solar farm, part of which will be within the Vale of White Horse district.

The developer proposing the Botley West Solar Farm believe it is large enough to be considered a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’, which means it will be determined by a government appointed Planning Inspector.

Update 10 November 2026

The Secretary of State refused development consent for this application on 10 November 2026.

For further information, please refer to the following decision documentation:

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Decision Letter (PDF, 1MB)

Examining Authority’s Recommendation Report (PDF, 6MB)

Planning Inspectorate’s Notification of Decision Letter (PDF, 145KB

Post-examination submissions have been published.
View submissions

The council released the following statement on 12 November 2026: Botley West decision shows major projects must take account of local issues

The project in detail

Developers are proposing to establish a large solar farm to the west of Oxford within the districts of West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and Vale of White Horse.

Botley West Solar Farm map

The scale of the proposal means it will not be considered by the district councils through the normal planning application process, but instead is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

The Examination of the proposed development concluded on 13 November.

More information can be found on the planning inspectorate’s website.

To date, officers and councillors have engaged with the developer team to discuss technical matters to be assessed and have formally responded to: