what you can do right now

The application by Photovolt Development Partners for a Development Consent Order for the proposed Botley West mega solar power station was submitted on 15th November. This is a week later than originally stated by PVDP’s mouthpiece Mark Owen-Lloyd - a concerning slip in accuracy that has been picked up by some media and other observers.

It’s an important moment because, up to now, many people feel that consultations with the developer have been inadequate, and say they haven’t been listened to. Now that the DCO application has finally gone to the Planning Inspectorate, you will be able to register your views and concerns directly to the Inspector - who WILL listen - and we urge everyone to that.

What happens next?

PINS has up to 28 days to decide whether to accept the application for examination. They will decide whether the public consultation was adequate and check the developer has provided all the required documentation. If they accept the application, the preexamination stage will begin.

Can we see the application?

Not yet but the Planning Inspectorate (or ‘PINS’) have said: ‘we will publish the application documents as soon as practicable. …due to the number and size of documents …. publication is likely to be in the latter part of the acceptance period.’ This means all the documentation should be available on the Planning Inspectorate website sometime in the first week or two of December.

What can I do?

Early in the pre-examination stage, individuals and groups of all kinds will be invited to register as an interested party and follow the examination of the application. To become an interested party, you will have to submit a ‘relevant representation’ outlining which aspects of the application you agree or disagree with and the reasons why. Everyone’s input will be considered by the Planning Inspectors.

We expect the call for relevant representations will probably be made in December – January. We will of course email you when it’s time to register as an interested party, and we’ll provide accurate information on how to do this.

Meanwhile, once you have seen the application, you could start preparing your “relevant representation” about Botley West’s likely impact on your life, livelihood and surroundings.

Top of the list of people’s concerns are:

• the industrial-scale development’s visual impact on the landscape in the green belt
• the loss of food production on valuable arable land
• the dramatically increased risk of flooding
• damage to our unique heritage
• damage to trees, hedgerows and footpaths
• the knock-on effects on wildlife and biodiversity.

Please encourage all your friends, family and neighbours to visit www.stopbotleywest.com and ask for regular updates.

Everyone who has asked SBW for updates will get the latest guidance, dates and deadlines from us. We will explain what you can do and when to do it. The application will be examined by Government Planning Inspectors and everyone’s input is important - including yours.

• The Planning Inspectorate botleywestsolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
• Your MP calum.miller@oxonlibdems.uk // layla.moran.mp@parliament.uk 
• Oxfordshire County Council: Cllr Liz Leffman (Leader) liz.leffman@oxfordshire.gov.uk // Cllr Andrew Gant (Transport) andrew.gant@oxfordshire.gov.uk
• Leader of WODC andy.graham@oxfordshire.gov.uk
• Principal Planning Officer WODC andrew.thomson@westoxon.gov.uk 
• Leader of Vale of White Horse DC Bethia.Thomas@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
• Leader of Cherwell DC david.hingley@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
• Find Other District Councillors here https://www.gov.uk/find-your-localcouncillors
• Find Your Parish Council here
• Oxford Times/News Quest letters@oxfordtimes.co.uk or Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk
• Newspapers - Contact details available on newspapers’ own websites