Community centre in Oxfordshire gets green solar panel boost

Charlbury Community Centre in West Oxfordshire is now generating its own renewable energy thanks to a new rooftop solar panel and battery storage system.

The improvement has been made possible through more than £96,000 of funding secured via a Section 106 agreement linked to the Southill Solar Farm project.

Councillor Andy Graham, leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This is a brilliant example of communities, local organisations and the Council working together to deliver long-term benefits for local people."

Section 106 funding is provided by developers to help offset the impact of new developments by supporting nearby infrastructure and public facilities.

In this case, the funding has delivered tangible energy efficiency and sustainability upgrades at the Charlbury centre.

Earlier grants had already enabled the installation of insulation and other energy-saving measures, as well as environmental initiatives.

This latest funding round has further supported the neighbouring Community Workshop.

Councillor Andrew Prosser, executive member for climate action and nature recovery, said: "What started as a conversation about renewable energy and how to work together to deliver a solar farm that works for the community has created real improvements for Charlbury.

"The project is helping reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs and support important community spaces for local people into the future."

The final funding agreement was the result of collaboration between the council, Southill Community Energy, and residents.

Tim Crisp, director of Southill Community Energy, said: "We are delighted to have been able to work with Charlbury Community Centre and share its ambitions to become an energy efficient building.

"It is a much-used facility and this project helps demonstrate how community-led renewable energy developments can share their success by providing significant funding support for these types of energy-saving projects."

The current solar farm proposal was developed after an earlier plan was considered too visually intrusive within the Cotswolds National Landscape.

Residents, organisers, and planning officers redesigned the scheme to minimise its effect on the landscape, including hosting a community 'Umbrella Day' to visually map out the proposed site.

This collaborative approach led to a revised design that met the need for renewable energy while offering clear benefits to the surrounding community.

In addition to the improvements at the community centre, the Section 106 funding has also supported dry stone wall restoration at the Southill site and other environmental projects aimed at cutting carbon emissions and helping nature recover.

Grants have been distributed through Southill Community Energy and, more recently, via Sustainable Charlbury after it became a charitable incorporated organisation.