An Oxfordshire MP raised concerns in parliament over reports that the developers behind Botley West Solar Farm may be backed by Russian money.

Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP) is proposing to build the solar farm in the west of Oxfordshire which it said could generate enough electricity to power approximately 330,000 homes.

Opponents of the 2,471-acre scheme which would span three sites - north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of Botley - say it would be "a blight" on the countryside.

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Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said in the debate: "It was recently reported in Private Eye that the developers behind Botley West Solar Farm in Oxfordshire are potentially backed by dubious Russian money.

"The company behind it, Photovolt Development Partners, is registered in Germany but owned by Cyprus company Cranssetta Investment. The sole shareholder is a Yulia Lezhen. 

"A New York court case last year revealed that Yulia Lezhen’s husband, Dmitry Glukhov, was the primary beneficial owner of a goldfield development company that borrowed $58 million from Uralsib bank.

"The litigating company said that there was never any goldfield to be found. It looked for infrastructure, but did not find it. It alleged that the company was, in fact, a front to syphon off assets.

"It further said that it was not the only one, and that there were dozens of such companies, of which Photovolt - about to build to Botley West - was one.” 

A number of roadside signs criticising the scheme have been put up in the Bladon, Cassington and Woodstock area. 

Ms Moran told the Oxford Mail: “The war on Ukraine is not over as Putin and his cronies continue to wage devastation.

"The best way to act is through sanctioning wealth and assets, as money is being funnelled through hidden assets. 

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“I was extremely proud of the cross-party work I took part in, on the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 but it is not enough to just seize Russian assets."