Green Councillors in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have called for developers of renewable energy schemes to share benefits with the local communities that host them. “New renewable energy infrastructure has the opportunity to contribute positively to the well-being and prosperity of local residents in the communities hosting projects” said Councillor Ali Gordon-Creed (South Oxfordshire). “There is a great opportunity to deliver for climate and nature, and for our residents, if we get this right.”
Motions proposed by Greens to Vale of White Horse District Council on 16th July, and to South Oxfordshire District Council on 17th July called on the Councils to write to Government on the matter, and to pledge to work with partners and developers to promote maximising opportunities for benefits to communities. Councillor Katherine Foxhall, who proposed the measures to Vale District Council added: “As a Councillor for Watchfield and Shrivenham, I see every day the enormous contributions that community-owned Westmill wind and solar farms make locally, and across Oxfordshire, with its open access approach to land, its events and guided visits, educational resources and its annual funding program granting around £40,000 each year to local projects.”
“Greens are proud to stand up for people and nature, and these motions did exactly that. We were delighted to get strong support from other groups on the councils. There’s a real appetite to both tackle climate change and to make sure the co-benefits of that are seen by our residents and bring lasting benefits to our districts” commented Cllr Gordon-Creed.