Plans to build what will be one of the UK’s largest solar projects have been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.
The detailed proposals for the 840MW Botley West Solar Farm project in Oxfordshire, which span over thousands of pages, will now move forward into the “pre-examination” phase.
This acceptance also means that the complete plans are now available to the public.
They include extensive environmental and biodiversity studies conducted over several years, setting out in detail how the project will deliver on a pledge for a minimum 70% biodiversity net gain.
They also contain specific proposals for how the developer, Photovolt, will mitigate the visual impact, deliver benefits to the community and alleviate flood risk.
The Planning Inspectorate’s acceptance of the application demonstrates that Botley West Solar Farm plans adhere to the requirements of Planning Act 2008 for consideration.
In line with the Development Consent Order process, Photovolt consulted local communities, including parish councils, local authorities, landowners and the public ahead of submission, beyond the statutory minimum.
The relevant local authorities confirmed this was the case when asked by the Planning Inspectorate.
The full submission reflects constructive feedback from these groups, resulting in significant project modifications.
Most notably, approximately one-third of the entire site will now remain free of solar panels, with a 25m buffer zone to any residence.
Photovolt director Mark Owen-Lloyd said: “We are pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has accepted Botley West Solar Farm for examination, which will now progress to the pre-examination phase.
“This project, once built, will make a huge contribution towards achieving Net Zero in the UK whilst providing the reliable, clean power Oxfordshire needs.
“These plans, which are now available for anyone to view on the Planning Inspectorate’s Botley West website, are the result of years of extensive and rigorous work to build a detailed proposal for how the Botley West Solar Farm project will be constructed and delivered.
“They demonstrate how we will inject £800 million of investment into Oxfordshire, deliver a more than 70% biodiversity net gain, alleviate local flood risks and make a significant contribution to the UK’s clean energy targets.”
The proposed development comes after Oxfordshire County Council and all five of the county’s district councils declared climate emergencies in 2019/20.
Oxfordshire has one of the most carbon intensive grids in the entirety of the UK, with this project representing a significant greening of the county’s energy production.
The Planning Inspectorate will now proceed to consider the proposal on an evidence basis, with further submissions from interested parties to be invited later in the process.