Solar farm at Land north-west of Nuneham Courteney situated to the west of the A4074 north of Upper Farm and south of Lower Farm

What was proposed

The application proposed constructing and operating a solar farm with associated works, equipment, infrastructure and biodiversity net gains.

“P24/S1336/FUL - Land north-west of Nuneham Courteney situated to the west of the A4074 north of Upper Farm and south of Lower Farm…”

“Construction and operation of a solar farm with all associated works, equipment, necessary infrastructure and biodiversity net gains- known as 'Nuneham Solar Farm'.(Hard copies of the Environmental Statement can be found at South Oxfordshire District Council, Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JE). (Additional Information received August 2024, October 2024, November 2024, February 2025 Amended plans received 15 March 2026).”

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The site

The approximately 57-hectare site was south of Oxford, north of the village, west of the A4074, and near the River Thames and Thames Path.

“The site was approximately 57 hectares located to the south of Oxford and to the north of Nuneham Courtney Village. To the west of the site is the River Thames and the Thames Path. East to west the land drops by 25 metres. All Saints Church was located around one kilometre from the southern tip of the site.”

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The officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because renewable energy benefits and biodiversity gains would outweigh harm to the Green Belt, landscape and heritage.

“The second consideration was heritage with the key view being from the grade 2 listed building of All Saints Church. While the Parish Council, the Gardens Trust and other historical societies consider the harm to this view to be substantial, that was not the view of the Council’s Heritage Officer or that of Historic England, both of which considered the level of harm to be less than substantial.”

“The production of renewable clean energy was considered to represent very special circumstances and would provide public benefits that would outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, landscape and heritage. The application was recommended for approval.”

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Consultation concerns

The parish council and the Gardens Trust maintained objections concerning heritage, landscape, cumulative impacts, energy infrastructure and community opposition.

“The planning officer presented the report. The committee were advised that further representations had been received from Nuneham Courtenay Parish Council, maintaining their objection to the application on the grounds of substantial harm to designated heritage assets, the cumulative impact with Nineveh Solar Farm, the Cowley Substation and further energy infrastructure proposed at Culham.”

“The Gardens Trust had also submitted a further response, reiterating their objection. Radley Parish Council had confirmed that they did not wish to comment on the application.”

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Who spoke

A parish council representative and two people spoke against the application, while two people supported it and the ward councillor spoke.

The vote

A motion to refuse the application was moved, seconded and carried.

“A motion, moved and seconded, to refuse the application was carried on being put to the vote.”

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The decision

The committee refused the application because it found unacceptable Green Belt, landscape and heritage harm that public benefits did not outweigh.

“RESOLVED: to refuse planning application P24/S1336/FUL on the grounds that: 1. The site is within the Oxfordshire Green Belt and represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt. The development will adversely affect the openness of the Green Belt, both visually and spatially, and undermine the purpose of the Green Belt. Very special circumstances are not justified.”

“The proposed development would result in harm to important aspects of the settings of a number of designated heritage assets, including the Grade I listed Nuneham Courtenay Registered Park and Garden (RPG), the Nuneham Courtenay Conservation Area, Grade II* listed All Saints Church which is situated within the RPG and conservation area, Grade II listed Lower Farm and Grade II listed Lower Farm Barns.”

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