Sir –  I would like to correct a factual error in Brigid Sturdy’s letter (April 17), and to reassure her and other readers about the proposed Southill Solar Park.

Brigid Sturdy said “This is not a new proposal; it was rejected two years ago ... on the grounds that it would impair the fragile beauty of a highly visible stretch…”
In fact, it is a new proposal — the previous proposal relates to an entirely different piece of land. Sustainable Charlbury has listened carefully to all stakeholders, and responded directly to these, including creative modifications to the layout of the park such that its presence will hardly be noticeable by those (including myself) who walk in the area. I support this project because it is
pro-environmental, it will generate approximately the same amount of electricity as is currently consumed by the whole town of Charlbury (it is largely irrelevant that residents “will not have direct access to this electricity”).
In effect, thanks to this solar-generated power, the net consumption of power by Charlbury will be dramatically reduced.
The world’s scientists are in near-total agreement that global climate change is happening, that it is largely driven by carbon emissions, and that it is one of the most important threats to human health and development — and indeed survival — in the coming decades.
This project is a wonderful example of “Think global, act local”, and is a local pro-environment innovation of which our community will rightly feel proud.
As a doctor and a global health professional, I feel strongly that we all need to be forward-thinking and to support innovative projects such as this to help reduce carbon emissions.
Every household in Charlbury was given the opportunity to attend public consultations, and every household was given a survey by hand.
I recommend that planning application is granted so that the project may go ahead and provide benefits to the community and to the wider environment.
Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Charlbury