This is an opinion piece which was first published in the Oxford Times.

There's a hint of irony around claims that Europe's biggest green solar farm could actually be harmful to the environment around us.

It was inevitable that the Botley West Solar Farm scheme would receive strong opposition during its planning stage.

And you have to admit, it isn't just NIMBYs or conspiracy theorists that don't want it in their backyard.

It's huge, first of all. It would be the largest solar farm in Europe, covering 3,400 acres, the size of 2,000 football pitches, on land near Botley, Woodstock and Kidlington, which is mostly owned by the Blenheim Estate.

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© The Oxford Times