A flight school used by British Airways says it is ‘alarmed by the serious flight safety hazards’ posed by a huge proposed solar farm in Oxfordshire.
If approved, Botley West would be one of Europe’s largest solar farms and is expected to generate 840 megawatts of renewable electricity – enough to power around 330,000 homes, equivalent to every household in Oxfordshire.
The examination phase for the Botley West Solar Farm, managed by the Planning Inspectorate, has now closed, marking the end of a detailed assessment that began in May.
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Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP), the developer behind the project, has since made a number of changes in response to public feedback, including reducing the overall area covered by solar panels.
FTEJerez, a flight school which has graduated thousands of pilots, opposed the plans.
In a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, it said: “We have selected London Oxford Airport as our UK training base to conduct the elements of training required by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for students working toward a UK Commercial Pilot Licence.
“This location has been chosen due to its strong safety record, high-quality facilities, and the suitability of the surrounding airspace and environment for pilot training.”
It adds: “We are alarmed by the serious flight safety hazards posed by the proposed Botley West development, particularly the fate of any trainee pilots having to make emergency landings onto acres of solar panels, surrounded by high security fencing.”
FTEJerez operates at London Oxford Airport (Image: Ed Nix)
It said other risks to trainee pilots include ‘reflected glint and glare from the solar panels’, as well as ‘bird displacement’.
“All of these factors can cause significant destabilisation of an aircraft’s flight path posing a significant threat to aviation safety,” it added.
But PVDV says it is ‘confident’ that the Planning Inspectorate will recognise the ‘strong case’ for the project and the ‘clean, reliable, lower-cost energy it will deliver’.
Stock image of solar panels (Image: PA)
A spokesperson for PVDP said: Oxford Airport has confirmed that the project poses no threat to aviation in the area.
“As set out clearly in the Statement of Common Ground submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, which is publicly available, we have liaised extensively and constructively with Oxford Airport and relevant aviation authorities to ensure there are no adverse effects.
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“For example, we have removed a number of panels located closer to the runway as a direct result of this consultation.”
They added: “We look forward to progressing a scheme that brings substantial benefits to the local community – including 800m of investment in Oxfordshire, the creation of skilled jobs, support for local businesses, a 70 per cent net gain in biodiversity on site, improved foot and cycle paths, and a significant community benefit fund for nearby communities.
A final decision on the project is expected from the Secretary of State in spring 2026.
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25648702.flight-school-used-british-airways-opposes-botley-west/?ref=rss
