Padbury Brook Solar Farm, more than just panels

The farm is planned to generate affordable renewable energy for around 16,680 homes, whilst not using good quality farmland and creating 2.3km of new permissive paths.

The plans are currently being considered by Cherwell District Council and, if approved, would save over 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 compared to fossil fuel generation (equivalent to planting over 21.4 million trees). This would represent a vital contribution to tackling the impending climate crisis on the back of one of the wettest UK winters on record, followed up by the hottest February and April on record.

Solar energy also represents one of the cheapest forms of generation, meaning the Padbury Brook Solar Farm would play a part in bringing electricity bills down, and secure the UK’s energy supply, helping to move away from expensive imported energy sources. 

Wildlife expert at heart of the plan

The designs for the Padbury Brook Solar Farm, north of Mill Lane in Bicester, have been developed by wildlife conservationist and trained ecologist Robin Johnson, and “seek to place a special focus on improving local biodiversity and opportunities for wildlife”. Coming from a conservation background, Robin is also the project manager for the scheme, representing RWE Renewables, who would also build and operate the site.

He notes: “The farm will support a diverse range of habitats and species once up and running. There will be 10 acres of new dedicated wildflower along the stretch of footpath on the northern edge of the site and the new 2.3km proposed permissive footpath running north to south, in addition to a vast, diverse grassland meadow in and around the panels.

“This would provide vital butterfly/bee habitats, both of which are under threat in the UK due to loss of habitat and pressures from intensive pesticide use, and over 2.4km of new native hedgerow and tree planting, further improving interconnectivity of habitats on-site.

“Solar farms, when done right, represent a fantastic opportunity to create vast new, undisturbed/preserved habitats, free from biocides, and a result of this wildlife centric design means a considerable 215% gain to local biodiversity will be achieved (meaning the site will effectively be 215% better than it is currently for wildlife, well above the 10% required by UK legislation). Wildlife conservation is my passion, and I’m absolutely delighted with what we’ve been able to achieve with this site.”

Benefits of solar

Recent long-term monitoring studies undertaken across 37 existing solar farms have found a considerable increase in the number of pollinators/insect life, in addition to an increase in the abundance of green, amber and red list species birds, compared to adjacent arable farms.

The large 4-10m gaps between the rows of panels will allow high quality grass to grow around the site, even under the panels due to the spacing provided, with sheep grazing used manage the land in an ecologically sensitive way, allowing the site to continue producing food for the UK market. 

The project will also support local projects and initiatives, with a fund worth over £650,000 to be provided to the community over its 40 year life. Extensive public consultation took place over the past 2 years on the plans, with 83 support comments received on the application, and an independent local poll finding 74% of respondents found to be supportive or neutral to the plans.

The site will also retain its greenfield status before, during and after development, would not use any 'good' quality farmland and is set to contribute over £2.5m in local business rates; providing direct funding to local council services/projects in the area.

You can view more about the scheme at padburybrooksolarfarm.co.uk