Cherwell District Council has given the green light to a proposed 8MW solar farm project in Upper Arncott, near Bicester.  

The solar farm will cover 16 hectares of land that is currently used for arable crop growing.

Councillor Michael Gibbard, lead member for planning at the council, explained that the site was suitable due its shielded sightlines. He said: “Given the relatively flat landscape, combined with proposed landscaping, the council considered that the proposal wouldn't be visually intrusive or harm the topography, character or appearance of the landscape.”

Gibbard continued: “The National Planning Policy Framework encourages councils to approve applications for renewable energy. Added to this the applicants have shown that there are no other suitable brownfield sites, there are no highway safety issues and they will work with the Environment Agency to address their concerns.”

Green Energy UK Direct Ltd, the company behind the planning application, states that the solar arrays will sit one metre off the ground. The whole site will be secured using a two metre tall steel mesh security fence fitted with CCTV cameras.