Witney solar farm plans approved by council
Controversial plans to build a solar farm capable of powering 15,000 homes have been approved amid fears the traffic impact would cause "chaos" in nearby villages.Applicant Bente Klein put forward plans to build a renewable energy station with ground mounted solar panels and battery storage containers at University Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire.The application was refused by West Oxfordshire District Council in December 2023 on landscape, visual, heritage and biodiversity grounds, but was resubmitted.At a meeting on Tuesday evening, the council approved the plans at the second time of asking.
Addressing the meeting, a representative for Bente Klein said the proposal was "crucial in achieving climate and energy targets"."The solar farm would produce the equivalent electricity needs of approximately 15,000 Oxfordshire homes if it were to get planning permission," she explained."Furthermore, the proposal will achieve significant biodiversity net gain of 104 per cent which is over ten times the legal requirement."But Robert Gunn, from nearby North Leigh Parish Council, said the proposals would see "danger and huge inconvenience to residents"."We feel the main beneficiaries of this application will be the applicant and its investors, with minimum benefit and maximum danger and inconvenience to North Leigh residents," he said.The plans had been previously discussed at a meeting in April - but a decision was deferred due to concerns over the route used by vehicles during the site's construction.Mr Gunn added: "If [the district council] does concede to the applicants' demand for their preferred route, then it should only be allowed with the strictest traffic construction measures."In our view six sets [of traffic lights] will be required […] and this would cause absolute chaos to all people living in North Leigh."At Tuesday's meeting, a route via the B4437 and the B4022 to Poffley End was unanimously approved by councillors.
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