Latest news with #WestOxfordshireDistrictCouncil
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huge solar farm will cause major harm, says council
A large-scale solar farm would cause "major harm lasting generations" and should be "dramatically reduced" in size, a council has said. Botley West Solar Farm would cover about 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of countryside at three sites in west Oxfordshire. In its final written representation to the government, the district council will say the proposals are "detrimental" to the area. Developer PVDP said it "disagreed" with the local authority and had made several changes to the proposed locations of solar panels. The project - which would see panels installed in countryside north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of Botley - is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This means the application must be considered by the government, not local councils. West Oxfordshire District Council's local impact report, written in conjunction with other local authorities that cover the proposed sites, listed 10 areas that it believes the farm would negatively impact. These include the historic environment, visual effect on the landscape, noise and vibration and public rights of way. None of the 17 areas listed were given a potential impact rating of "positive", but seven, including hydrology and flooding, were rated as "neutral". Speaking at the council's planning meeting, Rosemary Lewis, chair of Stop Botley West, said: "It is vital to have the support of the local council. "It is good to know here in west Oxfordshire, at least, democracy is alive and well". However, Witney resident Jonathan Ford urged the council to reverse the verdict of their report. "What is the issue of our time if not climate change... [the council should] acknowledge the clear truth, that Botley West will aid climate change mitigation." Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford, council leader Andy Graham said: "If developers listen to the mitigations that could be put in place, we could actually have a win-win." Mr Graham said he wanted to see the proposed site reduced in size by "at least half". "I think the developers have stopped listening... I'm a little disappointed that they just didn't continue the dialogue." However, Mark Owen-Lloyd, director of developer PVDP, denied that his company had not engaged with the council. "We have consistently bowed to what we've been told and removed panels from [several areas].., I think that's unfair to say we haven't listened," he said. Mr Owen-Lloyd added that 30% of the total site would be "mitigation, wildflower meadows and community growing". If approved, PVDP hopes construction of the solar farm will begin in early 2026, with electricity being connected to the National Grid in 2028. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Public inquiry into huge solar farm to begin Huge solar farm plan 'positive and negative' Why is the Botley West solar farm so controversial? Botley West Solar Farm
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New homes start of 'enduring community'
Hundreds of new homes could be the "foundation for a sustainable, inclusive and enduring community" as the start of a new village, the developer behind the proposals have told the BBC. The 350 homes at Kilkenny Farm, near Carterton, in Oxfordshire, could be the first of 6,500 in the surrounding area, HarperCrewe Bloombridge said. Critics of the plans have labelled them "unsuitable" and a "disgrace", saying the negative impacts would "far outweigh any perceived benefits". But Richard Cutler, from the developer, said the plans would deliver an "exemplary, sustainable new neighbourhood". The proposals were submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) in February, and are currently under public consultation. The scheme includes plans for a community hall and 122 properties available for "affordable rent and discounted sale". Mr Cutler, who has helped shape the plans over the past decade, said they had been "carefully designed" and were "largely" about addressing "clear and pressing housing needs". He told the BBC: "The goal is to create a neighbourhood that delivers long-term value for West Oxfordshire, that fosters community strengthening, and sets a new standard for design, sustainability and placemaking across the district." "Kilkenny Farm is not simply a housing scheme, but a foundation for a sustainable, inclusive and enduring community," he said. But the proposals have proved controversial, with one opposition statement submitted to WODC pleading: "Please leave our countryside alone." "Infrastructure, services, and the local environment are not in a position to support a development of this magnitude," another said. One local resident added: "While I understand the need for housing, this development is excessive and unsustainable for the local area." Another questioned the development's location around a village featured in the Doomsday Book, but Mr Cutler said the site was the "logical and appropriate location for growth". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Plans for new village labelled 'disgraceful' West Oxfordshire District Council
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Man arrested as Range Rover ploughs into wall close to David Beckham's home
A crash near the Cotswolds home of David Beckham and his family left a £150k Range Rover needing to be recovered early on Sunday and a man aged 31 years old was arrested A crash near the home of David Beckham has left a wall destroyed and a man arrested. The crash saw a group of men and women travelling in a Range Rover plough into a wall just metres from the lavish Cotswolds pad owned by David, wife Victoria and their family. After the £150k Ranger Rover smashed through a wall of the Great Tew estate in Oxfordshire, a man was arrested. It's thought the vehicle must have been travelling at "massive speed" according to locals in order to do the damage it head. Earlier, a vehicle matching the Range Rover's description had been seen leaving the nearby Soho Farmhouse where Geri Horner had been signing copies of her latest children's book. It's thought a group of adults had left the venue after watching Will Young perform. Following the incident, a man, 31, was questioned on suspicion of drink driving and leaving the scene of an accident, according to The Sun. A source later told the publication: "It was clearly an almighty crash. The front of the Range Rover was all smashed up. You could see the skid marks sell across the road and the grass in front of the wall and the airbags had gone off in the front." They added it was "incredible no-one was hurt or killed," before saying: "It's well known the Beckham's moved to the Cotswolds for some peace and quiet - their house is their sanctuary." On Sunday morning at around 7.30am, a recovery vehicle could be seen loading the Range Rover away from the scene. Other celebrities who live nearby include Hollywood actors. Speaking of the crime, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "A 31-year-old man from West Oxfordshire was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink and failing to stop after a road accident. He remains in police custody." Beckham is said to be at war with his neighbours in the area over plans for a new barn at his rural retreat. An exasperated local complained: "Why do famous people move to the country... then make silly alterations?" It's thought the Beckhams are seeking planning permission for the timber-clad structure at the property. The former footballer, who turns 50 on May 2, keeps bees and chickens at his country bolthole which has a giant lake. He recently asked planners at West Oxfordshire District Council for the right to create an 'agricultural storage barn for hay/straw and agricultural equipment'. However, angry villagers have vented their discontent and shared a letter of objection. Harriet Jones told the council: "This is just the latest in a long line of applications to build new structures on this land, plus a giant lake. "Why do famous people move out to the country and then clutter up their land with endless buildings and make silly alterations? It makes no sense."
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flood works to protect town get £20,000 boost
Flood defences to protect a town are set to receive £20,000 in government funding. Storm Bert caused chaos in Witney, Oxfordshire, in November with police closing Hailey Road through to Crawley Road, and reports of householders having to run to grab sandbags from a nearby school. The funding is part of the government's £2.65bn investment in flood and coastal risk management, in a bid to protect 52,000 homes and properties. The Witney Flood Alleviation Scheme is one of nearly 700 projects across the county that will receive part of the funding. The scheme is an Environment Agency (EA) project that would involve several bunds being built upstream of the town to hold water back. Caroline Douglass, executive director for flood and coastal risk management for the EA, said: "The delivery of these schemes will be welcome news for homeowners and businesses, who have experienced flooding in the past and may face more extreme weather as our climate continues to change." Sensors have been installed at seven locations across the Windrush to analyse how the river behaves during flooding, after the Witney Flood Group were given funding by the county council and West Oxfordshire District Council. Oxfordshire County Council also plans to grant funding for a number of small-scale flood schemes, such as reducing flooding from surface water run-off, ordinary watercourses and groundwater, between April 2025 and March 2026. The deadline for councils and flood groups to express an interest is 18 April. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Warnings remain after Christmas flooding Victim 'frazzled' as county battles floods Schools shut as heavy rain brings flooding New task force to help county prepare for flooding Flood victims 'vulnerable' due to lack of support Witney Flood Group West Oxfordshire District Council Oxfordshire County Council
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
More than 100 homes approved for town
Contentious plans to build more than 100 homes in Chipping Norton have been approved. Developer Gleeson Land got permission to build the 104 homes on land east of Burford Road and south of Charlbury Road. West Oxfordshire District Council's Uplands planning committee approved the plan after previously deferring the decision to ask Oxfordshire County Council why it had not sought funding for a north-south link road. A total of 119 householders told the committee on Monday that they were opposed to the development over concerns about its potential impacts. The county council said it would not seek contributions towards building the proposed north-south link road because Roman remains were found in the area, which cast doubt over whether it could be built. They said the traffic caused by the new housing would not be severe. Further details for the development will be submitted in a later application. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. West Oxfordshire District Council
