Major solar farm could be built near villages

A major solar farm that would potentially power about 140,000 homes annually could be built close to several Oxfordshire villages, the company behind the plan has said.

Cearn Solar Farm could be built across about 2,800 acres (1,133 hectares) on three sites in the Vale of White Horse, near villages including West Hanney, Goosey and Charney Bassett.

Telis Energy UK said it would be connected to the National Grid by underground cables to the Farmoor substation, near Oxford, about 7.4 miles (12km) away.

The project's size means it would be nationally significant and the planning application would be decided by the energy secretary rather than Vale of White Horse District Council.

The facility would produce up to 500MW of power, which would be less than the proposed 2,400-acre 840MW Botley West solar farm but cover more ground.

It would also include a battery energy storage system, which would store surplus energy for use during times of peak demand.

The applicant said it will hold workshops with the community in September and October, with a wider public consultation to follow in early 2027.

A decision over Botley West was delayed by the government earlier this week after it said it needed more time to "consider further information".

If approved, the £800m solar farm would cover three areas - north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of Botley.

Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller, who has been a vocal opponent of the plans, said the latest postponement "crystallises what was already clear: this Botley West application is full of holes and should be rejected outright".

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Decision on 2,400-acre solar farm postponed again