Botley West Solar Farm: CPRE Oxfordshire Calls for Transparency and Protection of Farmland
1st September 2025
CPRE Oxfordshire has submitted further responses to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the ongoing examination into the proposed Botley West Solar Farm. Our concerns centre on two key issues: the lack of transparency in soil data provided by Blenheim Estate, and the threat to Oxfordshire’s most productive farmland.
Missing Soil Data
Blenheim Estate has only provided limited soil analysis for the land earmarked for Botley West – sharing results on phosphorus levels alone. This presents an incomplete and potentially misleading picture. A basic soil analysis for general cropping should include results for not only phosphorus but also pH, potassium, and magnesium. This information is critical for understanding soil fertility.
For a proper assessment, we have requested access to the full soil analysis, including:
- pH levels
- Phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium levels (in parts per million, not just an index)
- Organic matter content
As DEFRA’s Fertiliser Manual (RB209) makes clear, land at the recommended phosphorus index (2) is productive farmland – not “degraded”, as has been suggested. Any suggestion otherwise risks distorting the true quality of the land.
Given the low cost of soil testing, CPRE Oxfordshire is urging the Blenheim Estate to publish the full dataset for all areas of the proposed development.
Protecting Oxfordshire’s Best Farmland
In response to the Planning Inspectorate’s request for further evidence on the use of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land, we have reiterated our position that Oxfordshire’s most productive farmland must be protected.
Our recent report Getting Solar Off the Ground (July 2025) found that nearly two-thirds (59%) of land used for England’s largest solar farms is productive farmland, and one third is BMV (Grades 1–3a). This is in direct conflict with planning policy, which is supposed to safeguard farmland essential for food security.
We are calling for:
- A ban on solar development on Grade 1 and Grade 2 farmland, due to its rarity and importance for food production.
- Strong restrictions on Grade 3a land, especially where development would also harm the local landscape.
- Greater focus on solar on rooftops, brownfield land, and already-developed sites, rather than sacrificing countryside and food production.
Our Position
The examination of Botley West Solar Farm is a crucial test case. Oxfordshire must not lose productive farmland under misleading claims about soil “degradation”, nor should we accept industrial-scale solar on land that should be protected for future generations.
CPRE Oxfordshire continues to press for greater transparency, better evidence, and more responsible planning that balances renewable energy needs with food security and the protection of our countryside.