DWD, on behalf of Low Carbon, secured planning permission for a 49.9MW solar farm on land at Stoke Talmage in South Oxfordshire. Members voted unanimously to approve the planning officer’s recommendation at planning committee on 13 October 2021.
The project, known as ‘Cornwell Solar Farm’ and once operational it will generate clean, renewable energy to supply power directly to over 15,000 homes in the district.
The solar planning team at DWD, led by Nick Bowen, provided the expert planning advice and project management required to take the project from the pre-app and consultation stages through to the grant of planning permission which required careful negotiation with the SODC and technical consultees. The planning application was supported by an Environmental Statement and the team was required to address a number of sensitive landscape and heritage issues.
Nick Bowen, Senior Associate at DWD, said: “We are extremely pleased that this application has been approved. Our experienced team worked hard to put together a well-considered proposal which will provide much needed renewable energy and a biodiversity net gain. It was a pleasure to support Low Carbon with another solar farm project”.
The UK Government has committed to meeting a legally binding target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The District Council has also declared a climate emergency with a target to be a carbon neutral district by 2030. Cornwell Solar Farm will help to meet national and local objectives for reducing carbon emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.