The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Water giant’ s solar plan to power school
Anew solar farm bid could see two Perthshire-based businesses power a local school. Water company Highland Spring has teamed up with Blackford Farm for the renewable energy farm proposal, to be built on the outskirts of Blackford off the A9.
The plans are part of a wider initiative at Highland Spring to have it become net zero by 2040.
If planning permission is approved, the solar panels will provide some of the power for the multi-million pound water company’s Blackford base.
It is also hoped the farm will eventually power Blackford Primary School, as well as nearby electric vehicle charging points and a “learning hub”, explaining renewable energy, to be situated in Highland Spring’s car park.
The proposed site, to the south east of the Highland Spring base, will be covered in solar panels and two substation units.
It would be accessed via an existing single track road, which has sparked fears about traffic volume.
Cables from the solar farm will go under the A9 through a tunnel and link to two other substations at Highland Spring.
Documents submitted alongside the application say the site will provide 30% of Highland Spring’s energy and help Blackford Farms Ltd decarbonise its agricultural vehicles and buildings. Concerns have been raised about how local roads will cope with increased traffic.
Transport Scotland asked that a traffic management plan and details of the cable connections under the A9 be submitted after consultation with them and before work begins.
Blackford Community Council also raised concerns in their response to the planning application, saying more routes to the site be explored, to avoid the narrow Bardrill Road and railway bridge.
Their statement said: “The Bardrill Road is very narrow with some very old culverts and a humpbacked bridge over the railway line.
“Residents have expressed concern about the use of the railway bridge which also carries the water supply for the cottages and it was damaged in the past by inappropriate vehicles on the road.
“The presentation we were invited to suggested a one-way system which could be a significant problem for walkers, cyclists and people who drive this road rather than using the A9 and we would ask that other options be explored.
“We have no footpath to Gleneagles station and some people cycle this route to the station.”
On the application, Highland Spring said: “The solar farm would contribute to the sustainability strategy of both businesses, and deliver significant long term, permanent carbon reductions in line with Scotland’s ambition to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.”