Agenda item

Members are asked to consider the proposal by Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP) to create a new solar farm in the West of Oxfordshire called Botley West Solar Farm and submit a response, if appropriate.

A public consultation is being held by the applicant up to and including 15 December 2022. Documents can be found by accessing the following link https://botleywest.co.uk/Home-Botley-West.html

The Committee intently discussed the proposal submitted for which a public consultation was open until 15 December 2022.

Members acknowledged that the proposed sites were to the East of Witney, however, effects would still be felt within the parish, most notably on resident access to the countryside and the local biodiversity. Members were most concerned about the Ecology, landscape and visual impact that a development of this size and scale would have in West Oxfordshire now and in the future

Members expressed dissatisfaction at the level of community gain in terms of local energy and financial contributions to mitigate the creation of the farm if it went ahead. The scheme was opportunistic rather than as part of a national plan looking at the bigger picture and the need for such a large-scale solar farm when evaluated next to other Government-backed energy alternatives did not appear to be demonstrated.

Resolved:

That, Members comments, including those above be submitted  via the public consultation feedback form.