Councils object to BP solar farm plan

TWO parish councils have objected to plans to build a solar panel farm 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.

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

More than 20 residents have sent written objections to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, saying they are worried about the visual impact of the panels.

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

Whitchurch Parish Council has said development in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty should be avoided and that assessment of the visual impact of the panels is insufficient.

Councillor Paul O’Grady said: “It’s good that they want to put solar panels in but they’ve got to think where to put it and they have a huge extensive car park. They should be using already built on land before they start using fields.”

Goring Heath Parish Council also objected, saying it was an inappropriate use of an agricultural site and that the glint and glare of the panels on other neighbouring properties and that the site will be visible from the road in winter due to the lack of leaf coverage.

In a statement, the council said: “The solar panel installation will adversely affect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty both visually and by its semi-industrial nature. It is a wholly inappropriate use of an agricultural site within a protected area.

“The panels will be visible from the Thatched Cottage as the land rises towards the site from the north and will therefore affect the setting of this historic building. The panels will be seen from other neighbouring properties and will affect them with the glare that the panels will reflect. It is therefore an unneighbourly development.

“The site will be visible from the road, especially in winter when there is no leaf coverage on the trees and hedgerows. The accompanying information in the application would seem to gloss over this fact.”

Andrew Somerville, a planning consultant on behalf of BP, said that, following engagement with residents, the solar farm plan had been reduced by about 50 per cent and would be shielded by hedges.

A final decision will be made by the district council by October 23.