Future Oxfordshire Partnership response to recommendations of the Partnership Scrutiny Panel made on

22 November 2022

 

The Future Oxfordshire Partnership is requested to provide a response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel for decision at its meeting on 18 January 2023.

 

Recommendation

Comment

Environment Advisory Group notes

The Scrutiny Panel was pleased to note that the Environment Advisory Group had begun to examine the issues around the provision of solar farms. It was agreed to recommend to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership that: 

 

  1. The Partnership write to HM Government asking that it strengthen the National Planning Policy Framework, (NPPF) so as to:

 

a)     Make the provision of solar panels a NPPF requirement in all new domestic or commercial developments unless there are strong technical reasons not to do so.

 

b)     Prioritise the use of existing space, (for instance through using warehouse roofing or the addition of canopies above car parks) for the provision of new solar panel installations over previously undeveloped land.

 

  1. Encourage Partnership members to submit individual responses to the current national consultation review of the NPPF concerning the provision of solar panels and other zero carbon energy technologies in domestic and commercial development.