West Oxfordshire District Council considers its technical response to the Botley West Solar Farm proposal

At a meeting on 24 February, the Development Control Committee will be considering the Council’s response to the Botley West Solar Farm proposal that has now been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for determination.



In this stage of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process the Council plays an important role in providing a view on the main issues of the development proposal that is now being considered by the Planning Inspectorate. 


The Committee will be discussing a 'relevant representation’ to the proposal, covering a range of topics, including the impact on the landscape and its heritage, the environment, and local communities. The agreed response will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the formal process for considering the application. 


Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said, “We have been clear from the inception of this proposal that the Council must follow the NSIP application process precisely and correctly and we will therefore provide a well-considered, evidence-based response. 


“By taking this approach, we can make a properly informed and impactful submission that will carry more weight. I would urge the Planning Inspector to listen to any feedback agreed by the Committee and this Council. 


“We have worked closely with local communities to inform the draft responses to date, and the proposals now being considered by the Committee will be no different. 


“We look forward to welcoming residents who wish to listen and attend the meeting, but I would encourage those that do, to check our website for further details. We need to make sure we have a clear and well managed process to ensure the draft response gets proper due diligence before being submitted.” 


The Development Control Committee meeting will take place on 24 February at 2pm in the Council Chambers in the Council’s Woodgreen Office. The cross-party committee will consider a draft representation on behalf of the Council that follows the process set out by the Planning Inspectorate. 


Interested parties who contact the Council beforehand may get the opportunity to address the Committee if they request to do so before the meeting. Information on how to request to speak is on the council website. The meeting will also be live streamed on the Council website

As part of the process interested parties are also able to submit their own feedback on the proposals directly to the Planning Inspectorate for the inspector to consider. 


It is expected that the Council will be asked to submit a Local Impact Report (LIR) in the next stage of the process which will cover very detailed evidence on likely impacts of the project on the local area. The Secretary of State must have regard to any LIR submitted when deciding the application and the inspector will be asked to give considerable importance to it in determining the outcome of the application. The work to prepare the Local Impact Report is underway. 


The Council has submitted consultation responses to earlier proposals highlighting a range of concerns with the including risks to the environment, the impact on communities and the low level of community benefit initially proposed by the developer. 

The Council has also previously expressed its disappointment that the proposal will bypass the local planning process, limiting input and decision making at a local level. 


The ultimate decision on approval for the solar farm sits with Secretary for State after the Planning Inspectorate provide a view on if they feel it meets the national criteria. 

 

Contact Information

West Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team

communications@westoxon.gov.uk


More Articles

September 23, 2025
From 22 September until the end of November, there will be some adjustments to the current traffic management arrangements on the B4022.
September 19, 2025
Local leaders in West Oxfordshire are encouraging residents to take part in a major public consultation on the future of rail in Oxfordshire.
September 15, 2025
With autumn and winter approaching, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re ready for the colder nights ahead.
September 15, 2025
Families, older residents and local communities are seeing the benefits of more than half a million pounds of funding from West Oxfordshire District Council.
September 15, 2025
Dear Customer, We're writing on behalf of Thames Water, your water wholesaler, to remind you that the hosepipe ban introduced on Tuesday 22 July is still in effect in your area. Thanks to your efforts, businesses and households across the region have already helped save millions of litres of water each day. However, despite recent rainfall, reservoir and groundwater levels remain well below average. While rainfall has allowed Thames Water to start replenishing reservoirs, it will take months of steady rain for rivers, groundwater and reservoirs to fully recover. That's why the temporary use ban remains essential, and why it's important that we continue the water saving efforts as we move into autumn. FIND OUT MORE HERE Please continue to be water efficient this autumn Your business is covered by the hosepipe ban, and even though the impact is limited, your continued support helps protect the water supply for everyone in your community and reduces the risk of further disruption.  Reduce water use where possible - for example, scheduling vehicle washing outside peak periods (early morning/late evening) Checking for leaks on-site - even a small constant dribble can waste around 400 litres per day Stopping urinals flushing overnight - turning off the flow can save thousands of litres Raise awareness of employees - small steps by everyone can add up to greater savings For more information or to report urgent issues, please call Thames Water's 24-hour helpline on 0800 316 9800. Thanks for your continued cooperation. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help. Best regards, Ray Porter Director of Wholesale and Markets Castle Water
September 15, 2025
Autumn newsletter for West Oxfordshire residents.
September 15, 2025
West Oxfordshire District Council will be considering proposals to speak with local town and parish councils on how to best manage public toilets.
September 15, 2025
West Oxfordshire District Council is launching a new ‘Business Boost’ Grant to help businesses grow, adapt and plan for the future.
September 15, 2025
Are you worried about rising energy bills or finding it difficult to keep your home warm? Help is available.
September 15, 2025
Oxfordshire residents without off-street parking can now apply for an EV cable channel, making home charging easier and safer.
Show More