A plan for a solar farm that developers said could generate enough power for an Oxfordshire town has been rejected.
AMPYR Solar Europe applied to build the 30MW farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) on agricultural land off Witney Road in Brize Norton, near the Grade II* listed wedding venue Caswell House.
West Oxfordshire District Council was told the 114 acre (46 hectare) site could generate power for 12,000 homes, equivalent to about 80% to 100% of Witney’s needs.
Some councillors said they worried a private water supply used by Caswell House, which is located about 550m (1,800ft) from the solar farm site, could be contaminated in the event of a fire in the BESS.