West Oxfordshire
Akeman Solar Park
Introducing Akeman Solar Park
British Solar Renewables (BSR) is preparing to submit a revised planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council for a Solar Park and Energy Storage development on land south of Ramsden, Akeman Street, Ramsden, OX7 3AY. Following feedback during the consultation stage and through the planning process, revisions have been made to our plans for Akeman Solar Park.
A significant number of panels have been removed, approximately 2900, with an overall reduction of 10% in park size.
Panels have been removed from the northern aspect of the site in order to maintain open oblique views on the Wychwood Way (Akeman Street) approach to Ramsden village, we understand this viewpoint is important to local residents, so we have taken steps to minimise any visual impact on it.
Panels have also been removed entirely from the field to the west to conserve appreciation of the landscape from the adjacent Cotswold AONB and the thinner and more open parts of St John’s Lane on the northern edge to Singe Wood.
Although the new proposal is smaller than the initial plans, technological advances and specification changes in the output of panels means the Solar Park will have an approximate design capacity of 20 MWp. The solar park will still produce enough clean renewable electricity to power 6,060 homes per year, a saving of 8,600 CO2. This is equivalent to removing 3,970 conventional cars from the road each year.
New Timeline
July 2023
Pre submission consultation
August 2023
Finalise proposed design
Autumn 2023
Submit planning application
Estimated Winter 2024
(approximately 16 weeks from submission)
Planning decision
2024
(if approved) Construction
We hope you will join us at the public consultation event where you can discuss the amended proposals with our development team.
Date and Time: Monday 3 July from 2pm to 7pm
Venue: The Miller Room, Ramsden Memorial Hall, High St, Ramsden, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 3BA
What are the benefits of the solar park?
- It will assist West Oxfordshire District Council in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with local and national targets, in addition to supporting its strategy for the declared Climate Emergency.
- The proposed development will contribute towards the security of energy supply in West Oxfordshire through the provision of local, renewable energy supply.
- No public rights of way will be closed during or after construction of the solar park.
- New hedgerow planting is proposed to contain and screen the solar arrays from its surroundings.
- This is a temporary development, allowing the land to rest for the period of operation.
- Ecological enhancements including wildflower and wild bird seed grasslands, and a range of breeding boxes for bats and birds are being considered as part of the application. We anticipate that the solar park will have a significant positive net biodiversity impact.
- Careful consideration has been given to the development to avoid affects on protected landscape, heritage or ecological designations.
- The proposed solar farm will not require Government subsidy.
- British Solar Renewables is committed to using local suppliers during construction and operation where possible.
Where is the proposed Akeman Solar Park?
The proposed site is situated off the B4022, approximately half a mile south-west of Ramsden. The approximately 111-acre (45Ha) site will be located in a number of fields which are currently used for arable farming. In addition to having solar panels on the site, the proposal also includes a small energy storage component in the form of a 1.5MW battery. Biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures, such as the gapping up of existing hedgerows and provision of improved grassland, to ensure there is a minimal visual and environmental impact, will also form part of the scheme. It is proposed that access to the site would be provided using the existing access point on the junction of St Johns’ Lane restricted byway and Roman Road.
- Location
- Land south of Ramsden, Akeman Street, Ramsden, OX7 3AY
- Technology
- Solar PV (Ground mounted) & Battery Energy Storage
- Size
- 20MWp design capacity of Solar PV & 1.5MW of battery energy storage
- Land size (approx.)
- 45Ha (111 acres)
- DNO
- Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)
- Land Designation
- Agricultural
- Planning consent duration
- Application is for 45 years
- Planning submission date
- Autumn 2023
- Planning Decision date
- Winter 2024
Key statistics and facts about solar parks
Solar Photovoltaics
Batteries