Proposal:
This comment is in relation to the second stage of public consultation for the Botley West Solar Farm.
Our Response:
Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) welcomes the opportunity to view the most recent consultation information on the proposals for the Botley West Solar Farm Project. OPT would not ordinarily comment on proposed developments which fall outside of Oxford's immediate setting, and which do not impact on views within or from the city. Given the scale of the scheme’s potential impact on the Oxford Green Belt, and as owners of Swinford Meadow, a site which was considered as a potential cable route, OPT offers the following points.
OPT recognises the urgent need to address the climate emergency, with renewable energy playing its part in this challenge. OPT has previously made comment on speculative solar farm proposals within the Oxford Green Belt and continues to encourage Oxfordshire planning authorities to develop a strategic framework for the identification of suitable sites for such projects. For this proposal OPT recognises that as a national infrastructure project, the overall capacity for solar power within the Oxfordshire area will be greatly enhanced.
Though encouraged by some of the changes to site borders and cable routes outlined in this most recent phase of public consultation, acknowledging the sensitivity to the scientifically significant rare grasslands at Swinford Meadow, OPT would like to reinforce previous comments submitted to the first consultation period.
The Trust believes the initial comments still hold significant weight, despite the recent amendments to the proposals, and contain mitigations which are of particular importance and – supported by adequate detail - should form part of any consent, should it be awarded:
1. The Blenheim Estate plans to manage the grassland across the proposed site in a way which will increase its biodiversity and quality of the grassland. Evidence should be provided for the viability of sheep-grazing underneath the panels, along with detailed plans for achieving a 70% Biodiversity Net Gain across the site, taking into account the construction and decommissioning elements of the proposed scheme.
2. The fields across the site should retain their historic field margins and hedges, with new hedging and trees introduced where needed, to shield the panels from publicly accessible viewpoints and to protect the wider rural setting, special characteristics, and nature of the Oxford Green Belt. This should be a condition of any consent.
3. All public footpaths and bridleways should be retained across the proposed site and should be hedged, providing a wide enough margin to ensure the best possible experience for the public using them. Further details of the new footpaths and cycle paths should be clarified, their routes and locations designed to increase the experience and enjoyment for the public to enjoy access to green spaces. They should be a condition of any consent.
4. There are various proposals to provide community benefits, both onsite and offsite, as part of the proposed scheme. Details of the exact schemes and their benefits are needed. They should be a condition of any consent.
5. OPT is encouraged by the proposals to protect the setting of those local heritage assets and conservation areas close to the proposed site.
6. OPT requests that conditions are placed on any consent granted to ensure that the proposed site be protected, at the end of its life span as a solar farm, from further development. It should instead be retained as valuable green space within the Oxford Green Belt.