Government rejects £800m Botley West solar farm in Oxfordshire

Summarised from 3 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 16:29 · Archive

The government has rejected the £800m Botley West solar farm, which would have covered 2,000 acres west and north of Oxford.

The government has rejected plans for the £800m Botley West solar farm in Oxfordshire. The 2,000-acre development, which would have spread west and north of Oxford, was refused on Tuesday by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The decision cited substantial harm to greenbelt and heritage assets, adverse impacts on aviation safety at London Oxford Airport, and concerns over heritage sites including Blenheim Palace. An 118-page letter explaining the decision was released on Tuesday.

Photovolt, the developer, said the decision was a "big blow" to the area. Mark Owen-Lloyd, director of Photovolt Development Partners, said the firm had "a decision to make in the coming days". The developer has six weeks to launch a judicial review. If successful, it could reframe the project by reducing its size or reapply. Owen-Lloyd said the firm could alternatively move on to one of eight other projects it has in the UK. Previously, Photovolt said the project could power the equivalent of 330,000 homes and was crucial to meeting the UK's climate and energy security goals.

Campaign group Stop Botley West welcomed the rejection. Professor Alex Rogers, chair of the group, said: "We are delighted that the secretary of state has agreed with the Planning Inspectorate's recommendation to refuse to grant the Botley West development consent order." He noted the developer had missed critical evidential milestones during its three-year application process, including evidence relating to harm to green areas and biodiversity.

MP Layla Moran for Oxford West and Abingdon also welcomed the decision. She said the proposal had failed to address significant issues and should have been sent back to the drawing board after the planning inspectorate recommended refusal earlier this year. According to Ms Moran, the proposed solar farm would have provided community benefits worth just £440,000 a year, significantly lower than comparable schemes elsewhere. She raised concerns about uncertainty over the source of funds and said plans had envisaged grid connection by 2029, but National Grid information suggested this would not be possible until at least the end of 2031.

How it is being reported

• MP welcomes Governments rejection of controversial solar farmLayla Moran has welcomed the Governments rejection of the controversial Botley West Solar Farm.Oxford Mail · 11 Nov, 16:00
• MP welcomes Governments rejection of controversial solar farmLayla Moran has welcomed the Governments rejection of the controversial Botley West Solar Farm.Oxfordshire Guardian · 11 Nov, 16:00
• Need To Know OxfordshireThe Government has refused planning consent for a solar farm twice the size of Gibraltar.BBC Oxford · 11 Nov, 15:31
• Rejection of £800m solar farm 'big blow' - developersThe government refused permission for the £800m Botley West solar farm in Oxfordshire on Tuesday.BBC Oxford · 11 Nov, 13:45
• Botley West campaigners 'delighted' as solar farm developers 'assess options'A campaign group fighting against a major Oxfordshire solar farm has said it is "delighted" after the scheme was rejected by the government.Oxfordshire Guardian · 11 Nov, 05:00
• Botley West campaigners 'delighted' as solar farm developers 'assess options'A campaign group fighting against a major Oxfordshire solar farm has said it is "delighted" after the scheme was rejected by the government.Oxford Mail · 11 Nov, 05:00
• Government announces decision on controversial £800m solar farm Botley WestThe government has released its decision on major £800 Oxfordshire solar farm Botley West which has proven controversial with locals.Oxfordshire Guardian · 10 Nov, 16:45
• Government announces decision on controversial £800m solar farm Botley WestThe government has released its decision on major £800 Oxfordshire solar farm Botley West which has proven controversial with locals.Oxford Mail · 10 Nov, 16:45

In this story: Photovolt · Stop Botley West Group · Layla Moran · Oxford · London Oxford Airport · Blenheim Palace · Oxfordshire · Mark Owen-Lloyd

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log