Botley West Case is "Full of Holes" Says Calum Miller MP
Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, has called on the Government to refuse the Botley West Solar Farm application in its current form, warning that too many fundamental questions remain unanswered.
In a formal submission to the Secretary of State, Calum said that the Applicant’s latest information had failed to resolve serious concerns about the development’s impact on nearby communities, the surrounding landscape and the Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site.
Botley West would be one of the largest solar developments in the country. Calum has consistently supported the rapid expansion of renewable energy but argues that projects of this scale must be backed by exceptionally robust evidence.
Among the outstanding issues highlighted in his submission are:
The failure to assess individually the impact on homes within 250 metres of the development
Important decisions about the location of panels and infrastructure being deferred until after consent
Uncertainty over the proposed grid connection and whether it can be delivered in line with the Applicant’s timetable
Unresolved questions concerning flood risk, aviation safety and land rights
A lack of clarity about who will finance, own and operate the estimated £800 million project
Calum Miller MP said:
“Botley West is vast, yet the case for it is still full of holes.
“Residents still do not know how close panels could come to their homes. The grid connection remains uncertain. Basic questions about flooding, aviation safety, land rights, ownership and financing are still unanswered.
“I strongly support renewable energy, but that cannot mean giving developers a blank cheque. If the Applicant is struggling to provide key information before asking for a decision, that suggests this proposal is simply too big or in the wrong place.
“The Applicant has had every opportunity to make its case. It still has not provided the certainty that residents deserve. The Secretary of State should refuse Botley West in its current form.”
Calum added that, if the Secretary of State believes the outstanding problems can be resolved, the necessary assessments and agreements must be completed before a decision is taken, followed by proper scrutiny by local authorities and a further fair consultation with affected communities.