North Ayrshire Council planners have approved a controversial 5MW solar farm on the Isle of Cumbrae.
Fears that the solar farm would ‘adversely affect the tourism trade’ were noted by NAC, but applicant ComSol Energy have stated that there is no evidence that renewable energy infrastructure has any impact on tourism.
Council planners responded that the proposal would have ‘limited impact’ on the landscape setting.
The NAC Planning Committee decided approve the development on Wednesday afternoon.
The proposal involves the installation of approximately 19,200 solar panels which would consist of a number of fixed photovoltaic panels mounted in fixed arrays. The site would be split up into nine areas. The arrays would be of maximum height of between 2.4 and 4 metres above ground level.
The site extends to approximately 14.75 hectares and is surrounded by open moorland within the ownership of Ballochmartin Farm.
In terms of concerns raised regarding visual impact, the council have stated that only those in close proximity including recreational walkers, riders, cyclists and tourists, would experience substantial change: “The scale and design of the proposal coupled with natural screening would ensure any impacts would be minimal and would not be detrimental to visual amenity.”
Planners have concluded that the proposed development would not result in any major impact on landscape and visual impact, archaeology, ecology and transport; and complies with local and national planning policy.
A number of conditions have also got to be adhered to by the developer including that a road condition survey in conjunction with a North Ayrshire Council Roads Inspector shall be carried out prior to the work commencing on site and after the work is completed.
However, the Say No to Cumbrae Solar Farm facebook campaigning page, which has 179 followers, stated: “North Ayrshire Council clearly have no working knowledge of this island or its community and several of the responses in this recommendation make that abundantly clear” and stated that they were ‘disgusted’ about such a development and its impact on ‘such a fragile and visitor reliant economy’ was being recommended for approval.
Responding to concerns over visual impact, Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson stated that he didn’t believe the solar farm was ‘obtrusive at all’ and “We have to look at the big picture and see what can that actually deliver not just for the island itself, but the target of trying to ensure that Scotland becomes renewable self-efficient.”
Cllr. Tom Marshall, who sits on the planning committee, told the ‘News’ he proposed to have two conditions added, that any construction work would not take place over the summer period, and a bond from the developer to ensure that in the event of the work being abandoned at any stage, there are funds from the developer to restore the land to its original state.
A new access track with turning heads would be constructed from this junction into the site with a wider entrance to allow two vehicles to pass, and in order to accommodate the construction traffic, it is proposed to create temporary widening on the access road.