Written statement on Energy Infrastructure Planning Projects - Sep 2

Minister for Local Energy and Jobs (Martin McCluskey): This Statement concerns an application for development consent made under the Planning Act 2008 by Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP) on behalf of SolarFive Limited for the construction and operation of a solar farm on land in West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and Vale of White Horse Districts.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make a decision on an application within three months of the receipt of the Examining Authority's report unless a new deadline is set using the power under section 107(3) of the Planning Act 2008. Where a new deadline is set, the Secretary of State must make a Statement to Parliament to announce it.

The statutory deadline for the decision on the Botley West Solar Farm application was 10 September 2026.

I have decided to allow an extension and set a new deadline of 10 November 2026 for deciding this application. This is to enable my Department and other interested parties to consider further information received from the applicant.

The decision to set the new deadline for this application is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.