Photovoltaic Development Partners has submitted plans to the Planning Inspectorate for an 840MW solar facility in Oxfordshire, UK. Once completed, the Botley West project will become the largest solar farm in the country, with the capacity to power 330,000 homes—equivalent to supplying electricity for every household in the county.
In 2019, Oxfordshire County Council declared a climate emergency, and the region’s electricity grid remains one of the most carbon-intensive in the UK. This project is expected to significantly boost green energy production, create jobs, enhance biodiversity, and provide grazing areas currently used for intensive agriculture.
A survey by Public First reveals that 66% of Oxfordshire residents support the construction of a solar farm within three miles of their homes. Additionally, 82% of the UK public agrees on the importance of expanding green energy, favouring renewables over other types of infrastructure.
Mark Owen-Lloyd, a director at Photovolt, expressed satisfaction with the formal submission of the Botley West proposal, highlighting its potential to contribute to the UK’s Net Zero goals and tackle climate challenges. He emphasised that the next stage involves the Planning Inspectorate’s evidence-based review process.
The proposal follows extensive community consultations and rigorous environmental studies conducted over several years. As a result, new walking paths have been included, the distance between solar panels and residential areas has been increased, and a commitment has been made to achieve a minimum 70% net gain in biodiversity.
The Botley West project represents an £800 million investment, aiming to generate skilled jobs, support local businesses, and deliver community benefits that ensure financial gains for nearby residents. It promises a 70% biodiversity net gain, featuring the creation of new hedgerows, the opening of more grazing land, the preservation of ancient woodlands, and the planting of additional trees.
The Planning Inspectorate will appoint an examining authority to review the proposal, following the procedures outlined in the Planning Act 2008.
