Following an inquiry on 11th-14th February, Inspector Partington has granted consent for a 57ha solar farm in South Oxfordshire in the Grey Belt and on predominantly Grade 3a BMV land.
One of the original Reasons for Refusal related to the impact on the Oxford Green Belt. However, following the publication of the new NPPF in December 2024, the local planning authority accepted that the appeal site was βGrey Beltβ, that the tests in Β§155 of the NPPF were passed (meaning the development was no longer βinappropriateβ), and that the Green Belt refusal reason should be withdrawn
The Grey Belt PPG was published following the inquiry but prior to the decision being issued. A further Statement of Common ground was submitted by both main parties stating that they still considered the site to be Grey Belt in light of the PPG clarifications. The Inspector reviewed the evidence and confirmed that she agreed.
We understand this to be the first solar farm consent on appeal in which the Inspector has found that the proposal would no longer be βinappropriateβ development in the Green Belt in light of recent changes to national policy and guidance.
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