Solar farm proposal near Banff gets green light
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A proposal for a 25MW solar farm near Banff has been approved by councillors.
Muirden Energy applied to Aberdeenshire Council to build the development at a 43 hectares rural site in the Denhead area.
The Banff and Buchan area committee assessed the plans during its meeting on Tuesday.
The report that went before councillors recommended that the application be granted.
It outlined what is being proposed in the renewable energy project.
It said: “The proposal comprises construction and operation of a 25MW solar farm with associated electrical infrastructure including underground cables, inverters (1.125m x 0.77m x 0.384m), and a substation, erection of 15 CCTV towers up to 2.9m in height at approximately 200m spacing, and 1.9m high security perimeter deer fence, as well as construction of an access road from the minor road on the west site boundary, and a temporary construction compound with laydown area, parking, and welfare and storage facilities (two 20ft modified containers).
“The solar farm, consisting of approximately 62,000 PV (photovoltaic) panels, would be arranged in multiple arrays across the site with a 15m buffer to the site boundaries.
“The panels would be mounted on a metal alloy framework at an angle of up to 30 degrees with a height up to 3m.
“The proposed substation would measure approximately 15.6m in length, 8.0m in width, and 5.9m in height, and would be finished in wet dash harling to walls, grey interlocking concrete roof tiles, and steel doors.”
It was outlined that the operational period of the solar farm would be 30 years. At the end of the operation, all elements would be removed apart from the underground cables and the site would be reinstated to its original condition.
Aberdeeenshire Council received two representations of support for the application which said that the development would help to meet climate change targets.
The local authority’s planning department recommended to the area committee that the proposal be granted.
The report concluded: “The planning service is satisfied that the proposal complies with relevant policies of the NPF4 and the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023, in that the principle, layout, and design of the proposal are considered acceptable; the development would not create a significant unacceptable visual or landscape impact on the surrounding area; it would have no negative impact on natural and built heritage; it would not lead to significant impact on hydrology, glint and glare; the proposal would not result in material loss of amenity to sensitive receptors and would not have a negative impact on the airdrome safeguarding zones; and there would be adequate provisions with regard to vehicular access and parking.”
Councillor Glen Reynolds motioned that the application be approved.
He said: “The officers have got this absolutely right.
“The report has necessary reassurances to ensure that the biodiversity aspects, the natural landscape and wildlife aspects are addressed and that this proposal going forward is sensitive to those.
“I welcome the application as a very good example of what is necessary as we go forward as a society in addressing net zero targets and decarbonisation.
“The work carried out by the applicant in conjunction with partners, not least council officers, is a very good example of the necessary mitigations that need to be put in place.”
His motion was seconded by councillor Stewart Adams.
He said: “I just want to echo councillor Reynolds’ sentiments there. The quality of this report and application is exceedingly well.”
There was no amendment and the area committee approved the application.
