Latest news with #BotleyWest
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Botley West campaigners join national walk against solar farms
Campaigners against plans to build one of Europe's largest solar farms have joined a nationwide community walk to protest against the potential impact of the West Solar Farm could cover about 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of countryside at three sites in west Oxfordshire if Photo Vault Development Partners (PVDP) say large-scale solar energy is crucial to meet the UK's climate targets, with the site capable of producing enough to power the equivalent of 330,000 those opposed to the scheme say the plans are "not necessary" and not "in the interests of the local community". Rosemary Lewis, who is part of the Stop Botley West campaign, told the BBC during the walk that solar energy "isn't the best solution for this country"."It [the proposal] makes me feel very sad - not just for our generation, but for future generations because solar [power] has almost begun to have its day," she added that the proposal had "not really been thought out carefully enough" by PVDP, as within the next 40 years solar power would be "obsolete technology". A fellow campaigner on the walk said: "Most of the land that those panels will be covering is good agricultural land, and its just not right - we need solar panels on roofs of new houses, not on the fields.""There's a right place for these sorts of things, and a right size - and this [proposal] just isn't it," another £800m farm would see panels installed in countryside north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the proposals are currently being evaluated by the director Mark Owen-Lloyd previously told the BBC: "We are confident this project will make a significant contribution towards the UK's ambitious solar generation targets."Addressing concerns around the site's scale and visibility, Mr Owen-Lloyd previously said the solar farm would be hidden in fields and behind hedges, and that people "would not notice it is there". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Warning issued after moped gathering in town park
A moped rider has been issued an official police warning after the vehicle was used to cause alarm and distress in an Oxfordshire park. Abingdon police community support officers issued the warning last night after a large group of people gathered in Caldecott Park where a moped was being ridden. The Thames Valley Police officers issued a Section 59 under the Police Reform Act 2002, used when a vehicle is being used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance. READ MORE: Botley West plans questioned after Starmer's latest pledge The Section 59 applies a warning to both driver and vehicle for 12 months that if the behaviour continues or is repeated, the vehicle can be seized. In a busy night for the community support officers in Abingdon, a woman was arrested for aggravated trespass in the town centre. Stay connected to the heart of Oxford for less! 🚨 Our flash sale is ON: get trusted local news for just £5 for 5 months or 40 per cent off an annual subscription. Don't miss out — subscribe now! 🗞️👇 — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) April 29, 2025 The officers also attended a gathering of young people using drugs in the woods in Marcham, issued safeguarding referrals for young people in relation to underage drinking and using fake IDs, and responded to an instance of anti-social behaviour in Bury Street. READ MORE: Oxfordshire racing stable assistant found dead at home A community protection warning was issued to a man for "persistently begging in the town centre," the officers said. They also attended Tilsley Park after a report of a "suspicious male" flying a drone. Several meetings were held between police and groups in the community, including at Abingdon School, a public "Have Your Say" meeting in Radley, and a training session at Oxford Police Station in relation to young people.
