Oxford underground cables to power large new solar farm

The network would go from land running from Botley Bridge to west of West Oxford Primary School in Ferry Hinksey Road off Botley Road.

Initial plans were submitted to Oxford City Council in December 2023, but so far no decision has been made.

On Tuesday, March 17, revised environmental statement documents were submitted to the city council as part of the planning application.

Botley Bridge (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)

And as a result, the plans are now being reconsulted with the people of Oxford, who can make comments on the application.

The underground cable network is in relation to the Red House Farm solar farm plans in the Vale district near Farmoor.

This was refused by Vale of White Horse District Council twice and is being appealed.

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Enzygo, an agent on behalf of the applicant Red House Solar Limited, said the new environmental statement was submitted and is to be reconsulted in agreement with Oxford City Council.

It said the new statement addresses the “relevant planning policy context, the principle of development, and the temporary and localised impacts arising from the proposed trenching works”.

A file image of solar panels (Image: Newsquest)

Planning consultant Jay Saggerson said: “Importantly, the refusal of the solar farm application by Vale of White Horse District Council did not arise from impacts associated with the cable route or grid connection infrastructure.

“The cable route itself does not give rise to significant environmental effects and there are no significant cumulative impacts with nearby development.

“Where minor construction impacts may arise, these can be managed through appropriate phasing and secured through a construction environmental management plan and associated management plans.”

The application site for the underground cables falls within the Oxford green belt.

Red House Solar Farm argues the scheme will contribute towards the security of energy supply in Oxfordshire through provision of a local, renewable energy supply.

On the withdrawn scheme Cumnor Parish Council objected to the “inappropriate development” in the green belt with no special justification and said it would harm views to and from Oxford.

It raised concerns around the potential impact on protected views, heritage, biodiversity and ecology, flood risk and drainage.

“Digging up that road to lay the cable would inevitably give rise to yet another period of at least partial closure of that road, further disrupting our residents’ access to Oxford,” the council said.

Red House Solar Farm is a 49.9MW project on 130–160 acres near Farmoor/Cumnor, designed to power approximately 9,000 to 15,000 homes annually.