Planning Application Details

The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than 11 January 2025, being the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the original permission. Reason: By virtue of Sections 91 to 95 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

That the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the following approved plans, except as controlled or modified by conditions of this permission. Module Array Layout (GBR.0057.EPC.M4.001.0.N) Proposed BESS Compound Site Layout Plan (PL-01 Rev 04) Weld Mesh Gate and Fenceline (SD-01 Rev 02) Battery Unit (SD-02 Rev 03) Twin Skid (TX) (SD-03 Rev 02) MV Transformer and Switchgear (SD-03 Rev 03) PCSK Inverter (SD-04 Rev 03) Acoustic Composite Fence (SD-05 Rev 02) Acoustic Composite Gate (SD-06 Rev 02) Twin Skid Assembly (SD-07 Rev 02) Auxiliary Transformer Elevation (SD-08 Rev 03) Substation Elevation (SD-09 Rev 01) Spares Container (SD-10 Rev 01) MV Skid Assembly (SD-11 Rev 01) Standalone Transformer Details Sungrow (GBR.0057.EPC.M4.025.0.0) Internal Access Track Details (GBR.0057.EPC.C4.003.3.0) Perimeter Fence & Gate Details (Deer Fence) (GBR.0057.EPC.M4.032.2.0) RPA Access Track Details Cross Section GBR.0057.EPC.C4.006.0.B Perimeter Fence Layout (GBR.0057.EPC.M4.008.0.A) Solar PV Array Elevation Details (GBR.0057.EPC.M4.010.3.0) Reason: To secure the proper planning of the area in accordance with Development Plan policies.

Planning permission is hereby granted for a temporary period of 40 years from the date of the first commercial export of energy. No later than one month after the first commercial export of energy the applicant shall supply written notice to the local planning authority. Following the expiry of the 40 years temporary period, or within six months of the cessation of electricity generation by the solar PV facility, whichever is sooner, all ancillary equipment and structures shall be decommissioned and removed from the site in accordance with the Decommissioning Method Statement agreed pursuant to Condition 21. Reason: Because of the temporary nature of the development and in order to safeguard the amenities of the area and protect the rural character of the area in accordance with Policies STRAT6, ENV1, DES1 and DES9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Notwithstanding the submitted plans (which are not approved by this permission), within 1 month of the date of this decision, a scheme for the landscaping of the site, including the planting of live trees and shrubs, the treatment of the access road and hard standings, and the provision of boundary treatment shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include schedules of new trees and shrubs to be planted (noting species, plant sizes and numbers/densities), the identification of the existing trees and shrubs on the site to be retained (noting species, location and spread), any earth moving operations and finished levels/contours, and an implementation programme. The scheme shall be implemented by no later than the first planting season following the First Export Date and thereafter be maintained in accordance with the approved scheme. In the event of any of the trees or shrubs so planted dying or being seriously damaged or destroyed within 5 years of the completion of the development, a new tree or shrub or equivalent number of trees or shrubs, as the case may be, of a species first approved by the Local Planning Authority, shall be planted and properly maintained in a position or positions first approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To help to assimilate the development into its surroundings in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035. Related application(s): P25/S0409/DIS

Notwithstanding the submitted plans (which are not approved by this permission), within 1 month of the date of this decision, full details of the proposed acoustic fence shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Reason: In the interests of the visual appearance of the development in accordance with Policies DES1 and DES2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035. Related application(s): P25/S0409/DIS

Notwithstanding the submitted plans (which are not approved by this permission), within 1 month of the date of this decision, full details of the appearance of the access track, including capping material, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To help to assimilate the development into its surroundings in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035. Related application(s): P25/S0409/DIS

Concurrent with the submission of comprehensive details of the proposed landscape works, a maintenance schedule and a long term management plan (for the life of the development), for the soft landscaping works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Landscape Management Plan shall include: a) Details of long term design principles and objectives. b) Management responsibilities, maintenance schedules and replacement provisions for existing retained landscape features and any landscape to be implemented as part of the approved landscape scheme c) A plan detailing which areas of the site the Landscape Management Plan covers and also who is responsible of the maintenance of the other areas of the site. d) Summary plan detailing different management procedures for the types of landscape on site e.g. Wildflower meadows, native or ornamental hedgerows. The schedule and plan shall be implemented in accordance with the agreed programme. Reason: To help to assimilate the development into its surroundings in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035. Related application(s): P25/S0409/DIS

Upon commencement of the development hereby approved, the existing means of access onto the A4074 shall be improved and laid out and constructed strictly in accordance with the local highway authority's specifications and all ancillary works specified shall be undertaken. Reason: In the interest of highway safety in accordance with Policy TRANS5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

The Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), approved by Discharge of Condition reference P24/S2397/DIS on 20/08/24 shall be implemented prior to any works being carried out on site and shall be maintained throughout the course of the development. The times at which plant or material will be delivered to the site stated in the CTMP shall be adhered to. Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to mitigate the impact of construction vehicles on the surrounding highway network, road infrastructure and local residents, particularly at morning and afternoon peak traffic times and in accordance with Policy TRANS of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the commencement of any development, the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, shall be responsible for organising and implementing an archaeological watching brief, to be maintained during the period of construction/during any groundworks taking place on the site. The watching brief shall be carried out by a professional archaeological organisation in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation that has been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority under Discharge of Condition reference P24/S2223/DIS on 13/08/24. Reason - To safeguard the recording and inspection of matters of archaeological importance on the site in accordance with the NPPF (2021).

Following the approval of the Written Scheme of Investigation referred to in condition 10, no development shall commence within the area identified as being archaeologically sensitive, as defined in the WSI, without the appointed archaeologist being present. Once the watching brief has been completed its findings shall be reported to the Local Planning Authority, as agreed in the Written Scheme of Investigation, including all processing, research and analysis necessary to produce an accessible and useable archive and a full report for publication which shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority within two years of the completion of the archaeological fieldwork. Reason - To safeguard the recording and inspection of matters of archaeological importance on the site in accordance with the NPPF (2021)

The Construction Environmental Management Plan for Biodiversity (CEMP: Biodiversity) approved by Discharge of Condition reference P24/S2446/DIS on 23/09/24 shall be adhered to and implemented throughout the construction period strictly in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To minimise the impact of development on biodiversity, in accordance with Policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the SOLP35 and paragraphs 170 and 175 of the NPPF.

The development shall be carried out in accordance with the Arboricultural Method Statement and accompanying Tree Protection Plan approved by Discharge of Condition reference P24/S2801/DIS on 18/09/24. The approved details with the agreed measures being kept in place during the entire course of development. Reason: To safeguard trees which are visually important in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1, and DES2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

The proposed vision splay shall be formed, laid out and constructed in accordance with plans, approved by Discharge of Condition reference P24/S1968/DIS on 14/08/24 upon commencement of development. The land within the splay shall not be raised or allowed to grow above a maximum height of 600 millimetres (due to slope) above the carriageway. Reason: in the interest of highway safety and in accordance with Policy TRANS5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the First Export Date surface water drainage works shall be carried out in accordance with a detailed scheme which shall first have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Before the drainage scheme is submitted, an assessment shall be carried out of the potential for disposing of surface water by means of a sustainable drainage system in accordance with the principles set out in Annex F of PPS25 (or any subsequent version), and the results of the assessment shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Where a sustainable drainage system is to be provided, the submitted scheme shall include the following: 1. - information about the design storm period and intensity, the method - employed to delay and control the surface water discharged from the site, - and measures taken to prevent pollution of the receiving groundwater - and/or surface watercourses; 2. - a timetable for its implementation; 3. - a management and maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development - - i.e. arrangements for adoption by any public authority or statutory - undertaker and any other arrangements to secure the operation of system - throughout its lifetime. Reason: To ensure the effective and sustainable drainage of the site in the interests of public health and the avoidance of flooding (Policy CP42 of the adopted Local Plan 2031 Part 1 and Policy DP23 of the adopted Local Plan 2031 Part 2).

No development shall be undertaken within the area of archaeological preservation identified within the site, as referred to as HA2 and illustrated on Figure 7.13 of the Environmental Statement - Chapter 7: Cultural Heritage Addendum (Headland Archaeology 2021). Reason - To safeguard the preservation of the identified area of archaeological importance on the site in accordance with the NPPF (2021) and Local Plan Policy.

The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved flood risk assessment and the following mitigation measures it details: - There will be no raising of ground levels in Flood Zone 2 or 3 - During the construction phase any excavated material will be stored outside of Flood Zone 2 and 3 These mitigation measures shall be fully implemented prior to occupation and subsequently in accordance with the scheme's timing/ phasing arrangements. The measures detailed above shall be retained and maintained thereafter throughout the lifetime of the development. Reasons To prevent flooding elsewhere by ensuring that compensatory storage of flood water is provided

The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the recommendations of the updated Landscape Ecological Management Plan dated September 2021 and Landscape and Ecological Enhancement Plan dated August 2020 submitted with the application in all respects. All ecological mitigation and enhancement features shall be delivered on site prior to first use and retained as such thereafter. Any variation shall be agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority before such change is made. Reason: To protect the important species on the site, in accordance with Policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

No external artificial lighting or other security measures other than those agreed as part of this permission shall be installed during the operation of the site as a solar PV and battery storage. Reason: To protect the appearance of the area, the environment and wildlife, and local residents from light pollution in accordance with Policy ENV12 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Should the solar panels not be used continuously for the production of energy for a period of six months, the panels, support structures and associated buildings shall be removed in their entirety and the land shall be restored to its former condition in accordance with a scheme of work submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To prevent the retention of development in the countryside that is not being used for its intended purpose in the interest of the appearance of the countryside in accordance with Policy ENV1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Not less than 12 months before the cessation of the development hereby permitted, a Decommissioning Method Statement (DMS) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The DMS shall include details of the removal of the panels, supports, inverters, cables, buildings and all associated structures and fencing from the site, and a timetable for their removal. The DMS shall also include a traffic management plan to address likely traffic impacts during the decommissioning period and details of the proposed restoration of the site. The site shall be decommissioned in accordance with the approved DMS within 6 months of the expiry of the 40 year period of planning permission. Reason: Because of the temporary nature of the development and in order to safeguard the amenities of the area and protect the rural character of the area in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.