'Delight' as solar farm refused planning permission

Plans to build a controversial £800m solar farm have been refused by the government.

The 840MW Botley West in Oxfordshire would have spread across more than 2,000 acres of land to the north and west of Oxford.

But Baroness Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said "substantial" harm would be caused to greenbelt and heritage assets, as well as negative impacts on the landscape.

John Orme from the group Stop Botley West said the news had "restored a bit of faith" in the planning process. Developer Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP) has been approached for a comment.

The decision follows several years of consultations and has been postponed twice, giving the government more time to "consider further information".

Development consent was also refused as the site would have "adverse impacts on aviation safety" presenting an unacceptable risk to public safety.

Oxfordshire is home to several flying schools and London Oxford Airport.

PVDP previously said the project was crucial to meet the UK's climate and energy security goals, and could power the equivalent of 330,000 homes.

The company has six weeks to launch a judicial review.

Orme said the campaign group "has always said that we have a great enthusiasm for the use of solar".

"We really would like solar more on roofs, on brownfield sites, on industrial sites," he said.

"We've spent a lot of time with a lot of farmers who are actually putting real value back into that land and to have that finally recognised by the government ... [is] absolute delight."

He added campaigners would "continue to use every communication means we can" to object if a judicial review was pursued.

Trade body Solar Energy UK said it was "disappointed and surprised".

"This is a regrettable decision. We all know the desperate need for cheaper power and to push expensive gas off the grid – and that's exactly what solar farms deliver," chief executive Chris Hewett said.

Solar Energy UK said it would have also offered benefits such as allotments and jobs, as well as "extensive areas of new native woodland, wildflower meadows and greenways".

West Oxfordshire District Council had raised "significant concerns about the proposal, including its impact on the landscape and rural character".

Lib Dem Liz Leffman, executive member for planning and infrastructure, said: "We have always recognised the important role renewable energy has to play in tackling climate change and achieving net zero.

"However, we have also maintained that developments of this scale must be planned carefully and must appropriately balance national energy needs with protecting local communities, our countryside, heritage and natural environment."

Calum Miller, Lib Dem MP for Bicester and Woodstock, had previously called for the application to be refused and praised the government for listening.

"This is the right decision for our area, and enormous credit belongs to the local campaigners and councils who worked tirelessly to make their case," he said.

"Developers must take their responsibilities seriously and work with communities to deliver renewable energy that earns their support."