Residents launch bid to halt solar farm proposal

FERTILE farmland in Angus could soon be covered with solar panels – but members of a community south of Forfar want to force a rethink on the proposals.

A company called Industria Resources has lodged plans for a 30-megawatt solar farm near the village of Kingsmuir.

The plans for the Cotton of Lownie development are in the early stages. Solar panels would be installed over three fields – two smaller ones west of the B9128 and a large field to the east of the road linking Forfar and Carnoustie.

Livestock would still be able to graze in the fields while the panels are in place.

Angus Council planners say “any impacts as a result of construction and decommissioning would be temporary”.

But a group of residents are opposing the proposed solar farm. They plan to form a local action group and they have distributed leaflets to make locals aware of the plans.

They are also raising awareness of a national petition aiming to protect farmland amid a growing number of solar developments.

The loss of land for crops is just one of the residents’ concerns.

They also raise issues including road safety and impact on health, and claim the developer has not engaged adequately with the community.

Local resident Mrs Shanks said: “None of us is anti-solar farms if they’re in the right place. Solar is necessary, but not at the cost of prime arable land, and provided other safety issues are correctly addressed.”

Meanwhile, about 20 miles east of Cotton of Lownie, residents are also worried about the impact of a proposed solar farm.

The controversial Berryhill development is in the hands of a Scottish Government reporter.

On July 5, the reporter will carry out a site visit as he considers the proposal.

The company involved, Solar2, is appealing Angus councillors’ decision to reject its plans to cover arable land with 152,000 solar panels.