Calum Miller: Botley West Solar scheme should not proceed as currently proposed

West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC)’s Development Control Meeting today considered its draft response to the developer’s consultation on the Botley West solar scheme.

Calum Miller, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bicester and Woodstock said:

“I welcome West Oxfordshire District Council’s report on the Botley West Solar scheme. It sets out clear reasons why the scheme should not proceed as currently proposed.

The decision on a scheme with such a significant local impact should be made locally. The government should not have taken decision-making away from local communities but it remains very important that our local council provides a thorough and robust response as a consultee.

Councillors, parish councillors and representatives of other community groups spoke powerfully at today’s Development Control Meeting about their concerns. We do need solar energy to serve our growing electricity needs, but this is huge scheme covering sensitive and significant areas. There are also concerns about the funding arrangements and the low level of community benefit. I hope the developers will listen carefully to these worries and reconsider their approach.”