Opponents claim Perthshire solar farm would be 'a disaster'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Campaigners have claimed a potential new renewable energy development on the outskirts of Coupar Angus would be a “disaster” for the surrounding area.Proposals for the formation of a solar farm comprising ground mounted solar arrays, inverters, transformers, a substation, security fencing, CCTV cameras, cabling, access tracks and associated work at land 130 metres south-east of Coupar Angus Substation, off the town’s Pleasance Road, are understood to have been re-submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.A previous application by applicants Arcus Consultancy Service Ltd for a 49.9MW project was unanimously refused in February and received 145 objections.Campaign group Save Our Rural Environment (SORE) was formed by concerned individuals living in or around Coupar Angus to oppose the creation of what members describe as a “massive” potential development.The Markethill re-submission comes against the backdrop of plans for a solar farm at Keithick – which is to cover 133 acres to the south-west of Coupar Angus – having already been approved by the Scottish Government, according to the group,SORE members have stressed that “no one in our group is against the sensible and acceptable development of green energy; we are not opposing other well-planned and screened solar farms”.A spokesperson said: “If the Markethill solar farm is approved it will be a disaster for the town and the community around it.“Recently an action group was formed to help persuade more people to visit Coupar Angus.“With 330 acres of three-metre high black silicon panels bordering the town, who will want to come near it?“If the Markethill solar farm is built, anyone taking a route from the town centre on the road south will meet the first panels after just