The proposed 840MW Botley West Solar Farm in the UK concluded its second phase of consultation on 8 February 2024, collecting feedback on its updated proposals.
The solar farm, brought forward by the developer Photovolt Development Partners, and based in the west of Oxfordshire located within the districts of Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse, held its consultation period over 10 weeks from 30 November 2023.
The consultation included 10 information events, nine in-person and one online, as well as the opportunity to submit feedback both online and on paper.
In total, over one thousand people attended the events, and hundreds of pieces of feedback were received from members of the community, as well as local groups, councils, and technical bodies.
The project team has been very grateful to see the level of engagement that has resulted from the second phase of consultation.
The feedback received during consultation is now being considered to develop our proposals further.
The team is continuing to engage with relevant groups and stakeholders and undertake environmental assessments ahead of submitting the DCO Application, anticipated to be in Summer 2024.
Commenting on the end of the second phase of consultation, Project Developer at PVDP, Mark Owen-Lloyd, said: “On behalf of the Botley West team, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with our consultation, either through attending one of our events or getting in touch via the communication channels, and for all the feedback submitted.
“It has been really interesting to speak to so many different people over the last 10 weeks to hear their views – the feedback that we have received will now all be considered as the project moves forward.”