Local Labour and SNP councillors have called in the Cumbrae Solar Farm meaning that the renewable energy project will get deeper scrutiny from councillors.

At present, most planning decisions are made by the planning authority, but elected councillors will get the opportunity to vote on whether they are in favour or against the 5MW solar farm for Ballochmartin Farm grounds at the top of the island.

Cllr. Gallagher of the Labour Party said: "I have decided to make a call-in request on this planning application I know that the project falls within the definition of a local development that could be decided by officers without referral to the full Planning Committee.

"However I have been approached by residents voicing concerns. I think it is quite a significant development for the island. It is quite sensitive, is in a Local Conservation Area and it has created a lot of public interest. It could also be seen a precedent in terms of future plans.

"For these reasons I think that it would be better if it was scrutinised by elected members on the Planning Committee and I have requested that it be called-in to that committee."

The call-in is supported by Cllr Peter McNamara and Cllr Donald Reid.

Cllr. Alan Hill of the SNP said: "My colleague Grace McLean and I have signed a call in request for the Cumbrae Solar Farm to go before the planning committee rather than be decided by officers under delegated authority. There has been some concern about this application locally and most notably on Facebook.

"Concerns have been expressed about the scale and visual impact and also about the traffic and effect on ferries and roads during construction.

Commenting Cumbrae Councillor Alan Hill said, "Whilst I am not against renewables projects and am not necessarily against this particular project there does seem to be sufficient concern locally to merit consideration of the application by the full planning committee.

"I have heard concerns about traffic flows during construction possibly affecting the summer tourist trade and I know that others have concerns about the visual impact of the proposed solar field.

"There are several examples of solar fields locally, they are generally pretty low key and I am fairly certain that most of the concerns can be addressed by planning conditions. Whilst this may not be a significant project in North Ayrshire terms, it is significant in terms of Cumbrae and worthy of close scrutiny as a result. For that reason my colleague, Grace McLean, and I decided to request that the application be looked at by the full committee."

There are ten North Ayrshire councillors who sit in the planning committee, and the only North Coast and Cumbraes representative on the group is Tom Marshall. The chairman of the committee is Irvine councillor Matt Brown of the SNP.