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.

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).

Current status

The Examination of the proposed development concluded on 13 November. The next step is for the Examining Authority to write its recommendation report. This must be completed and sent to the relevant Secretary of State within 3 months of the end of examination stage.

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:

We will have a number of responsibilities throughout the next stages of the decision-making process, including the preparation of a Local Impact report. This will consider the local impacts of the solar farm on the local environment.