Residents, community groups, parish councils, businesses, landowners and energy developers are being invited to help shape how communities in Oxfordshire could benefit from future large-scale low-carbon energy projects.
A countywide consultation has been launched on a proposed interim policy covering community benefit contributions and community shared ownership from private, for-profit renewable energy schemes.
The consultation is being run jointly by Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council and will run from May 12 to June 14, 2026.
Consultation documents and the questionnaire are available through Let’s Talk Oxfordshire.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for place, environment and climate action, said:
“Oxfordshire has huge potential to play a significant role in the move towards cleaner, more secure energy. But it is also important that our communities have a voice in how the benefits of that transition are shaped and shared.
“This consultation is about listening early. We want as many people as possible to tell us what a fair and practical approach should look like.”
The proposed policy would not determine how much renewable energy is built in Oxfordshire. Planning decisions would continue to be made separately by local planning authorities and the government.
Instead, the policy is intended to provide a shared framework for councils, communities and developers to discuss voluntary community benefits and opportunities for shared ownership where projects are approved.
Community benefit contributions could include financial payments or other support for priorities such as community facilities, nature recovery, energy efficiency, skills development and reducing fuel poverty.
Community shared ownership would allow local communities to take a financial stake in renewable energy projects so that more of the value generated by clean energy infrastructure remains in the area.
Feedback from the consultation will be used to help shape the final interim policy before it is considered by the participating councils during the summer.
