Solar array and battery storage at Land South Of Challoch West Of U52W Barnkirk Road, Newton Stewart

What was proposed

The application proposed a solar array and battery storage facility of approximately 26MW, with panels, underground cabling, access, landscaping, drainage and security infrastructure.

“The Proposal 1.6 The application is for planning permission for a solar array and battery energy storage system (BESS) facility with a capacity of exceeding 20MW, and approximately 26MW based upon current designs.”

“The application statement advises that the site layout has been designed having regard to i) the site’s landscape context; ii) the findings of on-site survey work; iii) the professional advice of the applicant’s appointed project team; and, iv) pre-application feedback from the Council, consultees and the local community.”

Officer report

The site

The site was approximately 109.83 hectares of agricultural land about 1.1 kilometres north-west of Newton Stewart, accessed from Barnkirk Road.

“Site location and description 1.2 The application site comprises an area of agricultural land extending to approximately 109.83 hectares located approximately 1.1km to the north-west of Newton Stewart. The Galloway Hills Regional Scenic Area (RSA) lies to the north and east of the site.”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC position along the Challoch Burn, at an elevation ranging between 30-50m AOD. The site is encircled by a number of small localised rounded hills, including Challoch Hill (47m AOD) to the north, Barnkirk Hill (58m AOD) to the north-east, Hill of Old Hall (70m AOD) to the east, South Barnkirk Hill (50m AOD) to the south, White Hill and Black Hill (71m AOD and 68m AOD respectively) to the south-west, as well as Barneam Hill and Bank Hill (54m AOD) to the west.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant planning history for the site, and the development was proposed to operate for 40 years before decommissioning.

“Operation and Decommissioning 1.11 The operational period is proposed to be 40 years, after which the development would be decommissioned and returned to its current (agricultural) use. At the end of the useful life of the proposal, the site occupier may decommission, replace, or refit the panels, or if required to by conditions that may be attached if Members are minded to grant planning permission, following a period of 12 months of non-continuous generation.”

“Planning History 1.14 There is no planning history of relevance for the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a legal agreement and conditions, considering the proposal compliant with relevant development-plan policies after mitigation.

“Conclusions 4.99 Planning determinations are to be made, by law, in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The assessment above highlights the Council’s support for renewable energy developments through a number of key individual and overarching policies within its adopted LDP2.”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC mitigation measures, it is not considered to be at a level in of itself sufficient to refuse the scheme. The proposed scheme is considered to be compliant with the provisions of the relevant development plan policies, and as there are no material considerations which override the presumption in favour of a determination in accordance with the terms of the development plan, it is recommended that this proposal be approved subject to the conclusion of a legal…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objection, usually subject to conditions, but fisheries organisations and the community council objected over watercourses, biodiversity, landscape and safety.

“Council Roads Team – no objection subject to conditions.”

“Cree Valley Community Council – objection. Object on the grounds of impacts on fish and protected species, peat and biodiversity, landscape and visual impact (including glint and glare), public safety.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the landowner, project manager and director acting for the applicant or agent.

The committee decision

The committee approved the application subject to the proposed legal agreement and conditions, with an additional water-quality and fish-monitoring condition.

“APPROVED application 25/1034/FUL subject to (A) the successful completion of the appropriate legal agreement within 6 months of the date of the decision or such other reasonable extended timescale as agreed by the appointed officer and (B) conditions as detailed in the report with an additional condition (31) requiring the submission of a water quality and fish monitoring plan and (c) delegate to officers to consider and amend as necessary the remainder of the issues raised…”

Minutes