Major Oxfordshire road trench plan for solar farm cable approved despite crime and disruption fears
The 8.39km cable route was approved despite concerns over traffic disruption, organised crime and environmental impact
“Major” plans to dig trenches down the middle of Oxfordshire B-roads to connect a solar farm with a city substation have been approved despite “organised crime” and disruption fears.
A proposal for the installation of an underground high voltage cable to support Burcot Farm solar farm, between Abingdon and Berinsfield, with Cowley Local Substation, was approved at Oxford City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, May 26.
“Digging trenches down the middle of the road” is permitted development for water or electricity companies, but since this is an “engineering” work for a new solar farm, planning permission is required, according to council officers.
The proposal is also being assessed by South Oxfordshire District Council, which previously rejected the solar farm plan, only for it to win approval through a Government appeal.
The farm could power around 13,000 homes.
The cable would run under Watlington Road B480 and the B4015.
Sections would also be below fields and Baldon Brook.
It will require the excavation of a trench approximately 8.39km long, 0.97m wide and between 1.08-1.38m deep.
The route crosses two South Oxfordshire National Character Landscape Areas, the green belt, and flood zones two and three.
A number of concerns were raised during the application process.
A consultee from Notcutts Garden Centre stated: “We are concerned that the impact of this application and the need for extensive and lengthy road works in the immediate vicinity of our Notcutts Garden Centre at Nuneham Courtney will be seriously disruptive to our trade.
“We would therefore ask that route solutions which avoid this be examined as the economic effect on businesses in the locality will be severe in a location where the road network is already under strain.”
Thames Valley Police also registered fears about “the risk of crime”, saying it had not been “adequately addressed” in plans, stating “high voltage cable is a very high value target for organised crime, and solar farms across the country are experiencing a significant increase in the theft of cable and other materials during the construction phase of the development”.
Historic England suggested the proposed cable route runs close to a Roman pottery kiln site, where there may be more below-ground remains and suggested this may require further investigation.
There were questions during the planning committee about timing the works, questioning how the impact could be limited for commuters.
Officers said they could add an informative note about this on the permission, but that it would come down to the county council to ensure this in licensing.
There were also questions about whether there could be a cycle route created along the road during the course of the works or after.
This was not up for consideration.
Officers stated this could be discussed during upcoming housing development plans for the area.
Frustrations were also shared about “digging up the road in a very high-carbon way”.
The plans were approved unanimously.