Developers behind the proposed Botley West solar farm have insisted the project will bring significant climate and energy benefits while mitigating impacts on nearby villages and heritage assets, after a local MP challenged the application.
MP raises objections over scale and location
Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat member of parliament for Bicester and Woodstock, has written to the former energy secretary urging the Government to refuse the scheme. Mr Miller said the application remains "full of holes" and expressed worry about the effect an extensive solar development would have on local communities and the setting of the Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site.
"While I strongly support the rapid expansion of renewable energy, this does not mean accepting every proposal, whatever its scale, location or impact," Mr Miller said.
The scheme, promoted by Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP), would cover around 1,000 hectares across three areas north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of Botley. The developer values the project at approximately £800 million.
Developer says assessments and mitigation measures are extensive
Project manager Mark Owen-Lloyd told InfoRadar the design has been refined since its inception in 2022 and that the team has conducted detailed environmental and technical assessments. PVDP said it has engaged with Historic England and does not consider the proposals to pose a risk to Blenheim Palace's World Heritage status.
The developer also said it has reviewed properties within 250 metres of the planned panels and adjusted the layout to remove panels from certain locations, increase buffer zones and create additional non-panel fields to reduce visual and other impacts. New hedgerows and tree planting are proposed to screen views.
Key elements of the proposal
- Scale: around 1,000 hectares across three principal areas
- Estimated cost: about £800 million
- Developer: Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP)
- Timeframe: project engagement and planning activity began in 2022
PVDP said it remains confident a connection to the National Grid can be secured within the project's proposed timetable and that it has worked with hydrologists to address flooding concerns. The company emphasised the work it has done with local communities as part of its consultation process.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area | Circa 1,000 hectares |
| Estimated value | About £800m |
| Main locations | North of Woodstock, west of Kidlington, west of Botley |
Opponents concern themselves with landscape change, potential effects on nearby communities and on the setting of heritage sites. Supporters argue the need to scale up renewables to meet climate and energy security targets. The planning application process will determine whether the proposed mitigations and technical solutions adequately address the range of objections.
As the scheme proceeds through the statutory planning and examination stages, residents and stakeholders in Woodstock, Kidlington, Botley and surrounding parishes are likely to see further consultations and detailed environmental statements published for scrutiny.
Further comment was sought from Historic England and Thames Valley planning authorities, and PVDP provided its responses as part of the application's public record.
