Ministers determined that threats to the Green Belt, aviation safety, and Blenheim Palace outweigh clean energy benefits.
The UK government has refused planning permission for Photovolt Development Partners’ (PVDP) proposed Botley West solar farm, a project with a planned capacity of 840MW in Oxfordshire.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed that the Development Consent Order application was rejected following a recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate.
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This refusal was announced on 10 November by Baroness Margaret Curran, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, on behalf of Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.
The proposed scheme would have spanned more than 2,000 acres, covering land in West Oxfordshire, Cherwell, and Vale of White Horse Districts, across approximately 1,400ha.
The government cited multiple reasons for the decision.
As per the official decision notice, the “adverse impact of the proposed development would outweigh its benefits.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero highlighted “substantial harm to the Green Belt and harm to a number of designated heritage assets,” including the Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site, which is described as “of the highest significance.”
Further reasons included “significant adverse effects in relation to landscape and visual amenity” and “residual adverse impacts on aviation safety which present an unacceptable risk to public safety.”
Concerns were also raised regarding PVDP’s “approach to assessing and restoring best and most versatile land”.
The project had an estimated value of £800m ($1bn).
The government’s rejection followed several years of consultations, with the decision postponed twice to allow more time for review, reported BBC.
Trade association Solar Energy UK described the move as “surprising” and “disappointing.”
PVDP had previously argued the solar farm could supply enough electricity to power the equivalent of 330,000 homes and contribute to the UK’s climate and energy security goals.
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