A solar farm is planned that would generate electricity for over 15,000 Oxfordshire homes, say developers.

Quarry Solar Farm would be located north east of Witney, east of Hailey and Poffley End and south west of New Yatt and North Leigh.

JBM Solar say there would be CO2 savings of over 919,000 tonnes which equates to planting 19 million trees.

It is planning to install batteries to store electricity which can be fed back into the local energy network to help balance the grid at times of high demand, it said.

Proposals state: "This location has been carefully chosen by our integrated team of experts.

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"The site will benefit from an infield connection to the electricity grid, can be screened to minimise visual impact and has the potential to deliver positive gains for protected species."

The company said local feedback will shape final proposals "and the team will listen, learn, and where appropriate, amend the designs, to ensure local feedback is incorporated".

The company says that as well as removing the equivalent Co2  to taking 255,000 cars off Oxfordshire roads the project will enhance rights of way and include outdoor picnic areas, outdoor classroom, and information boards.

Other benefits for local residents would include a £105,000 community benefit fund.

The developers also say the project will have a positive impact on the landscape.

 

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Over 95 per cent of the site will be used for sheep grazing and remain in farming use, they said.

And they say there will be over 50 per cent biodiversity net gain "providing ecological benefits through new habitats, such as wildflower meadows, grassland areas, skylark plots, ponds, bird nesting boxes and beehives".

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be installed on site, a device that enables energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released on to the grid when customers need power most.

JBM Solar say £5.3million will be generated in business rates over the lifetime of the project.

The London-based solar energy company has had a 98 per cent planning application success rate over the last decade.

It said: "We remain committed to using the lessons we have learned in this time to continue delivering large-scale solar farms with co-located battery storage and biodiversity net gains on every project.

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"All our future solar schemes will achieve a minimum 50 per cent  biodiversity net gain, five times the minimum requirement of 10 per cent.

"Since 2012, our team has secured planning permission in the UK and Ireland for more than 1GW of solar projects, ranging from 30 to 150 megawatts.

"This is the equivalent of providing energy to over 265,000 homes."

The consultation is open until February 28.

An in-person consultation event is being held from 2pm to 7pm today (10/2) at Hailey Village Hall, OX29 9UA.

Graham Knaggs, chairman of Hailey Parish Council, said they had received an invitation to the exhibition event and were waiting for more information.

The consultation website is at www.quarrysolarfarm.co.uk or email: info@quarrysolarfarm.co.uk

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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