Residents criticise oil firm plan for solar farm in field

MORE than 20 residents have criticised plans to install solar panels and battery storage in Whitchurch Hill.

Oil and technology firm BP, which is based at the Pangbourne Technology Centre, wants permission to install the panels on land to the north and west of the main campus to meet its 2050 net zero emission targets.

The site lies east of the B471 and is within the Chilterns National Landscape. It measures 3.5 hectares and comprises a maintained grassland, which is managed by the centre.

The panels would be different sizes. The largest would be 138m by 120m, and smallest about 42m by 6m, with a maximum height of 1.1m.

The lithium energy storage system and substation would be 2.9m tall surrounded by a 2m-high green palisade fence.

The solar farm, which would not be connected to the national grid, would have an output of 2.3MW.

The centre expects it to provide 30 per cent of its annual power demand, saving about 23,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Residents are worried about the visual impact of the panels and have written with objections to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority.

They argue that they should be installed in the centre’s car park instead to protect the view and also habitats for wildlife, including the potential for great crested newts.

David Clark, who lives to the south of the site in a listed cottage, said: “I find their plans very upsetting and frankly am appalled at the treatment that myself, family and close neighbours are being put through, all for BP to demonstrate its green credentials.

“BP wants to throw up a solar farm, which could quite easily be sited on existing roofs and car park spaces. My family and I are very concerned that living so close to a solar farm is not only unsightly and will be detrimental to a heritage building that has stood for more than 500 years but also to our own health, welfare and tranquillity.

“I consider it a personal affront that BP is looking to take away the enjoyment and pleasure of living in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“BP moved to its current site specifically because of its location. They should show more respect and find alternative solutions to its power issues, which there are.

“I hope BP discovers its neighbourly spirit of sharing a space with a residential rural community, and that the council will ensure it does do not manage to damage a beautiful habitat for plants, animals and a listed building.”

Mike Dalton, who lives in Whitchurch Hill, said: “The panels will materially damage a beautiful meadow which is accessible to the public via a footpath.

“The technology centre should look to place solar panels on its buildings or the car park instead, where nature, trees, and the views from properties close by will not be damaged.

“When we moved to the area there was a sign in the field saying that it had been retained for use for the local community following an expansion of the centre, which was meant to be the limit of the site.

“It is distressing to see the centre now submitting multiple applications to build in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Henry Wood, who lives south-west of the solar panel farm, shares a 300ft boundary with the centre and said the application fails to consider his property. He fears the glint and glare from the proposed development will be seen from his home.

He said: “The landscape and visual impact assessment considers many of the neighbouring properties to the north of the proposed development site but fails to consider my home, to the south of the site, which is not listed as a receptor.

“This seems to be a serious flaw given it is the nearest home to the proposed solar panel development. The failure may be because the applicant wrongly believes the development is heavily screened by the vegetation that sits on the boundary. This is not correct.

“The proposed development site is clearly visible through the trees and, come autumn when the leaves fall, it will be even more visible.”

Andrew Somerville, a planning consultant on behalf of BP, said: “Following engagement with residents before the application was submitted, the solar farm plan was reduced by about 50 per cent.

“The development will also plant trees and hedges to shield the specially selected low-profile solar panels to enable the production of sustainable power for the campus while respecting the local area and our neighbours.”

The district council will make a final decision by October 23.