Opposing Botley West Solar Farm and...

Far from sitting on the fence I and my local LibDem colleagues have been opposing the Botley West Solar Farm for some time, highlighting the the negative impact on our countryside and our community.

As someone with a scientific background I am well aware of how our activities have been impacting our world and how this could very quickly (in geological time) lead to ecological disaster, along the lines of, say, the Permian-Triassic extinction. It is essential for us to move away from using finite fossil fuels to renewable energy sources before it is too late. But this shouldn't be achieved by harming the environment in other ways..

The proposed Botley West Solar Power Station would be the biggest installation of this kind in Europe, but is, quite simply, far too large and in the wrong place. The development will extend across 11 miles from Wootton to Cumnor via the Evenlode Valley. 75% of the proposed site is within the Oxford Green Belt and 36% on highest quality (BMV) productive farmland while 11,000 properties will be within close proximity. If built it will have a huge detrimental impact not only on our environment but on us as residents.

The final plans, which have largely ignored the concerns of the local residents and councils, have been recently submitted to the government planning inspectorate. WODC responded to the initial proposal making it clear the many serious concerns it had, and will now be submitting a more detailed impact assessment to the national inspector, an approach that aims to ensure the council has maximium influence in the decision. Meanwhile campaigners, including LibDem councillors, are continuing to oppose the proposals as it now goes through the government decision process. See https://stopbotleywest.com/home

Central Part of Proposed Solar Farm

Personally I question, as an engineer, the real motive behind this proposal. Solar power is, at around 20% one of the most inefficient ways to generate renewable energy, while we are in the worst 5% areas in the world for solar power generation. There are many many other parts of the world where a solar farm on this scale would be more effective and less environmentally damaging, while here 11 offshore or 25 onshore wind turbines would deliver just as much power with less environmental impact and, at around 50%, greater efficiency. Given this I believe this proposal is purely about short term profit not about a genuine desire to generate green energy for the benefit of our communities. (And the 'sweetener' offers do seem rather paltry)

There are many other ways to reach Oxfordshire renewable energy development targets, including rooftop solar and I would far rather see these being implemented. Putting generation on roofs at the point of consumption makes good sense. And while, sadly, the motion by the LibDem MP for Cheltenham to make this a legal requirement for all new houses was voted down, I am pleased that Oxfordshire Council is continuing to work with the government to extend a funding scheme locally that makes fitting solar panels on roofs affordable.

And our local councils and Calum Miller, one of our local LibDem MP's, continue to lobby the government to allow councils to impose carbon net-zero standards on major new developments, such as Salt Cross, installing heat pumps and solar panels rather than gas boilers. while at a broader level the LibDem councils have been decarbonising their facilities and services and installing EV charging network across Oxfordshire. After all, government, be it local or central, must practice what it preaches and lead the way in implementing sustainable and renewable energy usage while protecting the environment.