The 30MW Manor Solar Farm in Oxfordshire has been granted planning permission by the Planning Inspectorate. Renewable Connections appealed a decision made by the Vale of White Horse District Council to refuse its original planning application for Manor Solar Farm, located near Denchworth, in South Oxfordshire.

The Planning Inspectorate issued a decision to uphold the appeal on the 3rd of April, with the decision being ratified on the 15th  April following the conclusion of the Judicial Review period.  A hearing and site visit were held as part of the appeal process on the 11th  and 12th of March 2025.

Once operational Manor Solar Farm will generate enough power for over 11,000 homes per annum, making a valuable contribution towards tackling the climate emergency in Oxfordshire.  Vale of White Horse District Council declared their own climate emergency in February 2019, acknowledging urgent action is required to limit the environmental impacts caused by climate change.

Commenting on the Inspector’s decision, Michael Hughes, Chief Executive Officer at Renewable Connections said:  “Manor Solar Farm was carefully developed following in-depth discussion with statutory consultees and consultation with the local community. Once operational, the project will support the delivery of urgent national and local climate objectives to generate more renewable energy and support the move away from fossil fuels. Solar is one of the cleanest, lowest cost forms of energy generation available and this particular site will generate enough renewable energy for over 11,000 UK homes per annum.”

The site, which Renewable Connections has developed in partnership with European Energy UK, will result in a biodiversity uplift of over 200% as a result of a package of landscape, ecological, and biodiversity benefits.

Throughout the planning and appeal process Renewable Connections were supported by planning specialist GP Planning Limited, legal firm Ashford LLP, environmental consultants CSA/Logika and infrastructure design consultants Motion.

To find out more about Manor Solar Farm go to:  www.manorsolarfarm.co.uk