Agenda item
25/01702/FUL Land Parcel At E433108 N204560, Lew, Bampton.
Minutes:
James Nelson, the Principal Planner presented the application for the construction and operation of a ground-mounted solar farm with battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure, access, ancillary works and landscaping. The Principal Planner thanked members for attending the site visit on Thursday 5 March 2026. The application included;
- Solar panels to be situated across 7 fields with access from Aston Road.
- The significant economic, social and environmental benefits through the production of 40MW of electricity generation.
- Planting to shield the view from the surrounding villages, the position of the BESS unit to be by additional planting for screening from view.
- A drainage and flood risk had been undertaken to position the panels to prevent the risk of flooding.
- There would also be CCTV cameras on the site to assist with security.
- The application was before the sub-committee due to objections from the surrounding parish councils
The Principal Planner drew the members attention to the additional representations report with proposed amendments to conditions 4, 6,12 and 15. The Principal Planner went on to explain the merits of the application these included the production of renewable energy which was in line with policy EH6. The solar farm production of energy would help meet targets for reducing carbon emissions and increase energy security by generating energy to 16 thousand houses per year. The site did not have rights of way across the land and was not best and most versatile agricultural land. Landscape enhancements had been included with additional planting and position of the panels to provide minimal visual impact on the heritage of the surrounding areas. Following objections over flood risk concerns the position of the panels had been reconsidered to reduce the risk of flooding. Moderate harm to the conservation areas of surrounding villages of Aston and Bampton had been considered and it was found that the public benefits of the application outweighed the harms, the application was recommended for approval by officers.
Councillor Andrew Ogg, Bampton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application and raised concerns regarding the impact on local villages and heritage of the surrounding areas, the size and scale of the site and the lack of local benefit. Councillor Ogg stated that the application was not balanced and requested that other locations be considered for an application of this size.
Tom Oliver and Aiden Van Weyer spoke as agents for the applicant and confirmed that the application well located with low impact on the wider environment including an increase of buffer zones and screening away from heritage assets. The land to be used was of B2 grade and there was no visibility between the site and conservation area. The impacts of the larger site had been considered, and the layout of the site had mitigated this. Guidance on flood risk had been taken and changes made to the layout.
In debate members highlighted concerns regarding the risk to flooding, the scale of the site and location of the panels particularly concerning the drainage of water. The harms to surrounding heritage and impact of traffic to the site on surrounding villages which had been experienced with other similar schemes. The Principal Planner confirmed that a Construction Traffic Management Plan had been included in the conditions. Members asked for confirmation which parish councils and communities would benefit from the project, the Principal Planner confirmed that any benefits from the scheme would be split between the parishes.
It was proposed by Councillor Rachel Crouch and seconded by Councillor Andrew Lyon that the application be approved as per officer recommendations and was put to the vote.
Voting Record – For 8, Against 1, Abstention 1.
The Sub-Committee Resolved to:
1. Approve the application in line with officer’s recommendations subject to seeking clarification from the LLFA that the comments of Aston Parish Council had been reviewed.