Coupar Angus solar farm plan is refused

Perth and Kinross councillors have refused an application for a solar farm on prime agricultural land near Coupar Angus.

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

The plans - which went before the Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, July 9 - had been recommended for approval by council officers.

It was refused by a single vote after objectors raised fears about going from living in open countryside to being in the middle of an industrial site.

Elected members in the SNP administration who voted to approve the application - were outnumbered by opposition councillors who voted for refusal.

Milton Keynes-based Greentech Invest UK (9) submitted plans to develop a 22MW solar farm on 46 hectares of land 320m northwest of Peattie Farm, Kinnochtry near Coupar Angus. The solar panels themselves would occupy around 24 hectares of the site.

PKC received 44 letters of objection to the application and just one letter of support.

Kettins Parish Community Council and Burrelton And District Community Council both objected to the proposal.

Campmuir resident Dave Ritchie, addressed the council on behalf of local residents opposed to the proposal.

He said: “While we all recognise the requirements to produce green energy, the use of prime agricultural land is a real concern, particularly in light of the recent political and economical uncertainties when arguments for food security are stronger than ever.

“There's only eight per cent of Scotland that's prime agricultural land, so there must be plenty more room on other land to put these solar farms on. We've got brownfield sites, rooftops and plenty of unproductive sites.”

He highlighted concern about the swathe of renewable energy developments in the Coupar Angus area.

Mr Ritchie said: “There’s a gathering pace of solar development - all on prime agricultural land.