Community Benefit Increased for Botley West, but is it enough?
In a significant step forward, the developers of the proposed Botley West Solar Farm have more than doubled their community benefit funding, from £200,000 a year to £440,000 per year.
This increase follows sustained local pressure, vocal advocacy and the success of our Make Botley West Fair campaign. While it is a clear improvement on the £50,000 originally offered, Low Carbon Hub still believes it is far below what’s fair given the scale and expected profits from the project.
Following the announcement we remain committed to ensuring communities receive meaningful benefits from large-scale renewable developments such as this, however we can.
The power of local actions: Our campaign
Back in April, we launched our first ever petition – ‘Make Botley West Solar Farm Fair’ – calling for 2% of project revenue to be allocated to community benefit. Our very conservative estimates suggest this would equate to approximately £840,000 annually.
With the support of 1,000 signatories, we have now sent our petition to Blenheim Estates and project developers PVPD, demanding a fairer and transparent approach.
Thank you to everyone who showed their support for the campaign and for helping to raise awareness of this issue.
Our petition asks for 2% of project revenue to be allocated to communities. A conservative estimate tells us that 2% would create approximately £840k in community benefit, more than the £200,000 currently on offer.
Voices from the Community
On 14 May, we spoke at the Open Floor Hearing on Botley West, alongside several groups keen to emphasise the need for a fairer funding model.
- Sustainable Woodstock highlighted the need for policy intervention to ensure an appropriate level of community benefit for local communities.
- Southill Community Energy shared lessons from their successful community energy projects.
- Cherwell Collective urged for using funds to be used for decarbonisation and ecological initiatives.
- Oxford Community Foundation stressed that community benefit funding must be a priority in large-scale renewable developments.
Sustainable Charlbury has granted funds to almost all the community buildings in Charlbury, including the school, to make them as low energy and low carbon as possible. It has supported community halls in other communities. It has also funded food, nature, recovery and education projects. We have donated almost £300,000 of community benefit Since 2017, £45,000 is roughly equivalent to 1% of our income.
Liz, Southill Community Energy
Government Consultation on Community Benefit launched
Just as our campaign was gaining momentum, the government published a Working paper: ‘Community Benefits and Shared Ownership for Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure’. They are now seeking public input on two key proposals aimed at enhancing community engagement and delivering greater benefits from renewable energy projects. The deadline for responses is 16 July 2025.
We’re now working with our community partners to formulate and submit a collective response to this soon because this decision will shape the future of renewable energy funding nationwide. You can read the full paper here.
It is clear to us and to many others that the government needs to introduce guidelines, if not regulations, on the levels of community benefit… Installations of this size should not be left up to the developers.
Hilary, Sustainable Woodstock
What’s next? Securing fair and independent management of funds
Low Carbon Hub firmly believes that community benefit funding should be managed by an independent board with representatives and stakeholders from across the community. This would ensure transparency and that funds are used where they are most needed.
We believe funds should support:
- The decarbonisation of homes, businesses and community buildings
- Tackline fuel poverty
- Investing in long-term sustainability projects that protect our planet.
A well-managed fund could make a lasting legacy. We will continue to push for a fairer funding model and advocate for stronger national policies.
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