49.9 MW solar farm at Kinnon Park Farm, Methven, Perth

What was proposed

The application proposed a 49.9 MW solar farm and battery storage system with panels, substations, fencing, CCTV, tracks and related works.

“Proposal: Formation of a 49.9 MW solar farm and battery energy storage system comprising of ground mounted solar arrays, inverters, transformers, a substation, a DNO substation, security fencing, CCTV cameras, cabling, access tracks and associated works…”

“Arrays of ground mounted solar panels. Panels will have mountings up to 3m high, fixed south facing. The panels will be located in rows or strings to provide a coherent and simple layout. 232 inverters and 20 transformers will be positioned around the solar farm to allow conversion of energy into electrical current suitable for feeding into the grid.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is agricultural land at Kinnon Park Farm, south-west of Methven, with the East Pow along its southern boundary and access from the U47.

“The proposed development is located at Kinnon Park Farm lying 700m to the south-west of the settlement of Methven, on the A85 and lying 3.5km west of the city of Perth. Kinnon Park Farm steading comprises several vacant buildings and fields which have been in agricultural use.”

“The existing use of Kinnon Park Farm is agricultural arable land, mostly planted in crop for grain. The group of buildings that form the farmstead complex are located within the Site. However, none of the ancillary structures will be used as a site compound, but the Site compound will be located next to them. The fields are delineated by a combination of mixed shelter belts, hedgerows with individual trees with evident gaps.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and consultation

Earlier proposals included housing and a golf course, while this solar project followed a proposal notice and screening application submitted in 2023.

“An EIA screening has been undertaken. The proposal being a Schedule 2 development in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. In the case of these regulations, prohibition is given to the granting of planning permission to “EIA development” unless an environmental impact assessment has been undertaken.”

“A Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report has been submitted with the planning application. A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was submitted to Perth and Kinross Council on the 9th August 2023. The PAN sets out the consultation strategy which includes the arrangement of two in-person consultation events, which were held two weeks apart from each other.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal conflicted with the Development Plan and no material consideration outweighed that conflict.

“To conclude, the application must be determined in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In this respect, the proposal is considered to be contrary to the Development Plan. Account has been taken account of the relevant material considerations, and none has been found that would justify overriding the Development Plan. Accordingly, the proposal is recommended for refusal on the grounds identified below. . Recommendation…”

“The development, owing to its size, scale, appearance and location, raises significant landscape character and visual impact concerns, failing to contribute positively to the quality of the surrounding built and natural environment.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objection, although National Gas Transmissions submitted a holding objection and several bodies sought conditions.

“National Gas Transmissions (NGT) - Given that NGT operates a high-pressure gas pipeline that runs through the proposed development site, a holding objection…”

Officer report

What people said

There were 320 representations, with objections focused on visual effects, policy conflict, flooding, traffic, noise, light, land use and biodiversity.

“The proposed development will result in an adverse effect on visual amenity • The proposed development is contrary to Local Development Plan Policy • The proposed development will result in an adverse impact on employment provision • The proposals are excessive in terms of height • The proposed development will result in a flood risk • The proposed development will result in an inappropriate land use • The proposed development will result in a loss of open space • There is…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

An objector, the local member, the agent and a supporter addressed the committee; the objector, agent and supporter answered questions.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to refuse the application for the stated landscape, energy mitigation and prime agricultural land reasons.

“Resolved: Refuse, for the following reasons:”

“Reasons 1. The development, owing to its size, scale, appearance and location, raises significant landscape character and visual impact concerns, failing to contribute positively to the quality of the surrounding built and natural environment.”

Minutes

Why it was refused

The proposal was not in accordance with the Development Plan, and no material reasons justified departing from it.

“Justification The proposal is not in accordance with the Development Plan and there are no material reasons which justify departing from the Development Plan.”

Minutes