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Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Councillors refuse Coupar Angus solar farm on prime agricultural land
Cllr Brawn argued "Coupar Angus has done its bit for renewable energy already" Perth and Kinross councillors have refused an application for a solar farm on prime agricultural land near Coupar Angus. The plans - which went before the Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, July 9 - had been recommended for approval by council officers. It was refused by a single vote after objectors raised fears about going from living in open countryside to being in the middle of an industrial site. Elected members in the SNP administration - who voted to approve the application - were outnumbered by opposition councillors who voted for refusal. Milton Keynes-based Greentech Invest UK (9) submitted plans to develop a 22MW solar farm on 46 hectares of land 320m north-west of Peattie Farm, Kinnochtry near Coupar Angus. The solar panels themselves would occupy around 24 hectares of the site. PKC received 44 letters of objection to the application and just one letter of support. Kettins Parish Community Council and Burrelton And District Community Council both objected to the proposal. Campmuir resident Dave Ritchie, addressed the council on behalf of local residents opposed to the proposal. He said: "While we all recognise the requirements to produce green energy, the use of prime agricultural land is a real concern, particularly in light of the recent political and economical uncertainties when arguments for food security are stronger than ever. "There's only eight per cent of Scotland that's prime agricultural land, so there must be plenty more room on other land to put these solar farms on. We've got brownfield sites, rooftops and plenty of unproductive sites." He highlighted concern about the swathe of renewable energy developments in the Coupar Angus area. Mr Ritchie said: "There's a gathering pace of solar development - all on prime agricultural land. "Of particular concern to residents is the prospect of being sandwiched between two separate developments - one which is at Markethill, 250 acres, (which is awaiting a decision from Scottish Ministers) and this one here at Peattie which is 110 acres. "Before long, we'll no longer be living in the countryside but on a solar farm." He told councillors the arable land was used every year to grow crops such as potatoes, barley, carrots and turnips. Objector Polly Jones' home neighbours the site. Addressing councillors, she said: "My concern, I believe, is shared by all of my neighbours and many of the residents of Campmuir. "We were actually really shocked to hear this was being considered for approval, given the size of it and the impact it's going to have on all of us. "Currently, we look at a wide open expanse of beautiful agricultural land. We bought our properties due to their location, at a price which reflected that setting and we pay our council tax to reflect that value and setting. "If this proposal is allowed I and my neighbours will be faced directly with a minimum six-metre wall of solar panels." With the application site opposite her home being on a slope she explained they were "very sceptical the screening will have any effect and even once the screening is fully grown, we're still going to be dwarfed by the panels that are visible higher up the hill". She added: "As developments - like these - crowd in and around the substation there is a risk in Coupar Angus (with multiple developments proposed) that if they go ahead we won't be living in the countryside any more but in an industrial site. "I feel, in Scotland, we don't have to have the trade-off between energy and food because we have a lot of land that is not prime agricultural land." Greentech senior planning manager James Jenkins told councillors: "We estimate the project will deliver over £4.5 million of construction work that can be delivered by local contractors and specialists." He said rent paid to the landowner would "ensure they could continue investing in their farming enterprise and maintain it as a viable operation" and the community would benefit from around £500 per MW (£11,000). When councillors questioned the use of prime agricultural land, PKC's Major Applications and Enforcement team leader Sean Panton told councillors: "The loss of prime agricultural land is regrettable but national planning policy does allow it." National Planning Framework 4 permits development on prime agricultural land for "essential infrastructure and there is a specific locational need and no other suitable site". Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Bob Brawn moved to refuse the application. The Conservative councillor said: "This part of the world, Coupar Angus, has already lost prime agricultural land to battery storage at Pleasance Road; last month we, as consultees, agreed to battery storage at Kettins on prime agricultural land; Markethill is still in abeyance and could happen (but we can't use that as a justification); there's also a solar farm development at Keithick. "The exception for the use of prime agricultural land is for essential renewable energy. I would argue that Coupar Angus has done its bit for renewable energy already and I don't believe this is now classed as essential in this area. "I feel the need for prime agricultural land outweighs the need for renewable energy in this area." Conservative councillor Ian James seconded the motion for refusal. SNP councillor Ken Harvey moved to approve the plans and claimed the land was "in a poor state and doesn't appear to have been used for anything other than silage the past few years". Following a brief recess, he corrected himself and said: "I said it was getting used for silage. Obviously not, there are potatoes and what looked like turnips being grown." He added: "The loss of prime agricultural land is outweighed by the benefit of solar energy we're getting. We are constrained by where the substations are for such developments and we need to take due cognisance of that going forward with the other developments but I think this development is reasonable." It was seconded by Bailie Mike Williamson. Six Conservative, Independent and Liberal Democrat councillors voted to refuse the application and the five SNP councillors on the committee voted to approve the application. It was refused by one vote.
The National
10-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Perth and Kinross councillors reject plans for solar farm
The plans – which went before the Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, July 9 – had been recommended for approval by council officers. It was refused by a single vote after objectors raised fears about going from living in open countryside to being in the middle of an industrial site. Elected members in the SNP administration – who voted to approve the application – were outnumbered by opposition councillors who voted for refusal. READ MORE: Time Team archaeologists hunt for Viking boat burial on Scottish island Milton Keynes-based Greentech Invest UK (9) submitted plans to develop a 22MW solar farm on 46 hectares of land 320m north-west of Peattie Farm, Kinnochtry near Coupar Angus. The solar panels themselves would occupy around 24 hectares of the site. PKC received 44 letters of objection to the application and just one letter of support. Kettins Parish Community Council and Burrelton And District Community Council both objected to the proposal. Campmuir resident Dave Ritchie, addressed the council on behalf of local residents opposed to the proposal. He said: 'While we all recognise the requirements to produce green energy, the use of prime agricultural land is a real concern, particularly in light of the recent political and economical uncertainties when arguments for food security are stronger than ever. 'There's only eight per cent of Scotland that's prime agricultural land, so there must be plenty more room on other land to put these solar farms on. We've got brownfield sites, rooftops and plenty of unproductive sites.' (Image: Perth and Kinross Council) He highlighted concern about the swathe of renewable energy developments in the Coupar Angus area. Ritchie said: 'There's a gathering pace of solar development – all on prime agricultural land. 'Of particular concern to residents is the prospect of being sandwiched between two separate developments – one which is at Markethill, 250 acres, (which is awaiting a decision from Scottish Ministers) and this one here at Peattie which is 110 acres. 'Before long, we'll no longer be living in the countryside but on a solar farm.' He told councillors the arable land was used every year to grow crops such as potatoes, barley, carrots and turnips. Objector Polly Jones' home neighbours the site. Addressing councillors, she said: 'My concern, I believe, is shared by all of my neighbours and many of the residents of Campmuir. 'We were actually really shocked to hear this was being considered for approval, given the size of it and the impact it's going to have on all of us. 'Currently, we look at a wide open expanse of beautiful agricultural land. We bought our properties due to their location, at a price which reflected that setting and we pay our council tax to reflect that value and setting. 'If this proposal is allowed I and my neighbours will be faced directly with a minimum six-metre wall of solar panels.' With the application site opposite her home being on a slope she explained they were 'very sceptical the screening will have any effect and even once the screening is fully grown, we're still going to be dwarfed by the panels that are visible higher up the hill'. She added: 'As developments – like these – crowd in and around the substation there is a risk in Coupar Angus (with multiple developments proposed) that if they go ahead we won't be living in the countryside any more but in an industrial site. 'I feel, in Scotland, we don't have to have the trade-off between energy and food because we have a lot of land that is not prime agricultural land.' Greentech senior planning manager James Jenkins told councillors: 'We estimate the project will deliver over £4.5 million of construction work that can be delivered by local contractors and specialists.' He said rent paid to the landowner would 'ensure they could continue investing in their farming enterprise and maintain it as a viable operation' and the community would benefit from around £500 per MW (£11,000). When councillors questioned the use of prime agricultural land, PKC's Major Applications and Enforcement team leader Sean Panton told councillors: 'The loss of prime agricultural land is regrettable but national planning policy does allow it.' National Planning Framework 4 permits development on prime agricultural land for 'essential infrastructure and there is a specific locational need and no other suitable site'. Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Bob Brawn moved to refuse the application. The Conservative councillor said: 'This part of the world, Coupar Angus, has already lost prime agricultural land to battery storage at Pleasance Road; last month we, as consultees, agreed to battery storage at Kettins on prime agricultural land; Markethill is still in abeyance and could happen (but we can't use that as a justification); there's also a solar farm development at Keithick. READ MORE: Inquiry held up as SNP change policy on protected Highlands beach 'The exception for the use of prime agricultural land is for essential renewable energy. I would argue that Coupar Angus has done its bit for renewable energy already and I don't believe this is now classed as essential in this area. 'I feel the need for prime agricultural land outweighs the need for renewable energy in this area.' Conservative councillor Ian James seconded the motion for refusal. SNP councillor Ken Harvey moved to approve the plans and claimed the land was 'in a poor state and doesn't appear to have been used for anything other than silage the past few years'. Following a brief recess, he corrected himself and said: 'I said it was getting used for silage. Obviously not, there are potatoes and what looked like turnips being grown.' He added: 'The loss of prime agricultural land is outweighed by the benefit of solar energy we're getting. We are constrained by where the substations are for such developments and we need to take due cognisance of that going forward with the other developments but I think this development is reasonable.' It was seconded by Bailie Mike Williamson. Six Conservative, Independent and Liberal Democrat councillors voted to refuse the application and the five SNP councillors on the committee voted to approve the application. It was refused by one vote.
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth Aldi store granted planning approval for third time
Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee gave its overwhelming support to the now £5.5 million development on Necessity Brae Perth and Kinross councillors have voted - against planning officers' recommendation - to approve a new £5.5 million Aldi in Perth, creating around 16 new jobs. It is the third time councillors have approved plans for the German-based supermarket chain to replace its Glasgow Road store with a larger, modern, fit-for-purpose store on Necessity Brae. On Wednesday, June 12 the Planning and Placemaking Committee convener Ian Massie moved for approval with the support of all bar one on the committee. Aldi has two Perth stores and, as part of a legal agreement, its new store at Pickembere, Pitheavlis would not open until the existing Glasgow Road store closes. Planning permission for the replacement Perth store was initially granted - by Perth and Kinross Council's (PKC) Planning and Placemaking Committee - in May 2022. But in February 2023, councillors were asked to re-assess Aldi's application taking account of the latest National Planning Framework (NPF4). Again, councillors voted for approval. But the approval was then subject to a judicial review - following a legal challenge by Tesco - and the Court of Session quashed Aldi's planning permission on April 26, 2024. Following the judicial review, Aldi submitted a revised application to PKC this year. There were 22 letters of objection - including one from Tesco, which has three Perth stores as well as a petrol station store in Scone . The rival supermarket submitted an objection on the grounds: it was not a small-scale neighbourhood retail development; the site was allocated for employment use, and the "limited benefits" were not "adequate to determine the application other than to refuse". Perth Community Flood Aid also objected, raising concerns about flood risk saying the area next to the site had flooded at least five times in recent years. PKC planners recommended refusal of the application - citing NPF4 policy 28 - saying it was "an out of centre location and is not allocated for new retail development" and "would encourage diversion of existing footfall and spend away from the city centre". There were 19 letters of support for the application, as well as a petition with over 800 signatures calling for the new Aldi to be built. Cherrybank resident Seamus Farren - who launched the petition - addressed the committee on Wednesday outlining the strong local support for the development. He said it would "greatly benefit" his neighbourhood, particularly elderly residents "who currently have to rely on public transport or taxis to reach the city centre for their grocery needs". Speaking on behalf of Aldi, Stantec flood risk engineer Gary Spence told councillors measures taken as part of the development would reduce flood risk. He said: "We've calculated the discharge rate into the downstream catchment of this area of land and our proposed system would restrict flows and provide betterment of 77 per cent at least." PKC's Flood team did not object to the proposal. Moving the plans for approval convener Ian Massie referred to the Court of Session decision following Tesco's legal challenge. He said: "The court concluded that the proposal did not meet the definition of small scale neighbourhood retail development under policy 28c of NPF4. "But I am satisfied this revised application has been carefully prepared in response to that ruling with a clearer and more comprehensive policy justification. "I'm also satisfied the proposal addresses all relevant technical matters including potential flooding and drainage issues." In March 2025 the committee voted by nine votes to two to grant Lidl permission to build a second Perth store on Crieff Road, also opposed by Tesco. They rejected council officers' recommendation to refuse the application, arguing the development would give residents "more choice" and supported the National Planning Framework 4's (NPF4) 20-minute neighbourhoods. Following the March decision, the committee's convener SNP councillor Ian Massie wrote to Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee saying the current national planning policy "lacks coherence" and "will not strengthen town centre High Streets". In his response, Mr McKee said: "As you will know, NPF4 and the wider development plan must be considered as a whole, then taking account of material considerations, when reaching a planning judgement." Using this direction from Scotland's Public Finance Minister, Cllr Massie argued Aldi's application "aligns with local and national policy objectives and makes effective use of an under-utilised site". He said the brownfield site had been designated for employment use on PKC's local development plan "but has remained undeveloped for over 17 years due to abnormal building costs and market conditions." He cited NPF4 policy 9a which "supports the reuse of such land to promote regeneration and effective land use". The Perth City North councillor said the development would support active travel "within a residential area" as well as "advancing the principle of local living and 20-minute neighbourhoods". Conservative councillor Keith Allan seconded the motion to approve. SNP councillor Ken Harvey attempted to table an amendment to refuse the application but got no support. He said: "I think it's contrary to policy 28 [of NPF4]. I think some of the other reasons are valid but I don't think any of them outweigh the characteristics of policy 28, particularly the 20-minute neighbourhoods. This kind of development was definitely not what was intimated on that." Cllr Harvey's amendment fell and the motion to approve the planning application - subject to planning conditions and a legal agreement - was approved. Following the meeting, Real Estate director for Aldi in Scotland Andy Doyle, said: "We are delighted that councillors have again backed the overwhelming support from the local community and approved our plans for a new store at Necessity Brae. "We look forward to delivering a larger store for our loyal customers in Perth, while creating new local jobs and bringing significant investment to the area. "We are grateful to everyone who took the time to voice their support, and look forward to welcoming customers to the new store." All existing Aldi staff will move from the Glasgow Rd store to the Necessity Brae Aldi with around 16-20 new jobs being created. According to Mr Doyle, the new store is expected to open around the end of 2026, beginning of 2027.
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross councillor calls for urgent review of national planning policy on retail developments
The Planning and Placemaking Committee convener believes the current policy on retail developments "lacks coherence" and risks "stifling competition" Perth and Kinross Council's (PKC) planning convener has written to the Scottish Government saying there is an "urgent need" for a review of national planning policy regarding retail. SNP councillor Ian Massie - who wrote to Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee on behalf of PKC's Planning and Placemaking Committee - said the current policy "lacks coherence" and "will not strengthen town centre High Streets". Cllr Massie's committee requested he write the letter after councillors approved a new Lidl supermarket on Perth's Crieff Road, going against the council officers' recommendation of refusal which was based on national policy. On Wednesday, March 12 councillors voted by nine votes to two to grant Lidl permission to invest £10 million building a second Perth store and creating over 30 jobs. They rejected council officers' recommendation to refuse the application, arguing the development would give residents "more choice" and supported the National Planning Framework 4's (NPF4) 20-minute neighbourhoods. The only objector to the application was Tesco, which has a store on the other side of McDiarmid Park from the proposed Lidl site. At the March meeting, convener Ian Massie pledged to write to Scotland's Public Finance Minister raising the committee's concerns about the conflicting national planning policy. In response to a request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, PKC this week shared both Cllr Massie's letter and the response he received from Ivan McKee MSP. In his letter, Cllr Massie said the current policy could result in "stifling competition". Referring to the committee's decision over the Lidl application, he wrote: "The officers' recommendation was for refusal on the grounds that it did not meet Policy 28: (a) and (c) as it was not located in an existing city, town or local centre, nor was it in an edge of centre area, or an allocated site within the LDP; (b) was not applicable as it did not meets the terms of (a); and also (c) Small scale neighbourhood development because the proposal could not be classed as small scale. "Whilst the committee agreed the criteria for Policy 28 (a) and (c) had not been met they went against officers' advice and granted permission stating that the application should be supported because it would provide over 30 jobs in the local area, help families on limited income afford more with what income they have and aligns with the Scottish Government's approach to 20-minute neighbourhoods , as outlined through Policy 15 of NPF4." He called for planning policy to meet the "specific needs of our communities". The Perth City North ward councillor added: "Currently, the framework for Policy 28 lacks coherence on several crucial aspects, including the balance between High Street regeneration, out-of-town developments, and the promotion of sustainable practices within retail. However fundamentally, there is the lack of a specific reference to what floorspace thresholds should be deemed to define what is small scale neighbourhood development. "Unless there is an early review of the retail policy of NPF4 the likelihood is that the current policy will result in the planning system in Scotland stifling competition in this sector. This will favour those operators who secured consents for out-of-town centre sites over the last 20 years to the detriment of newer and possibly more innovative operators. It will not strengthen town centre High Streets. This is not 'good planning'. " Ivan McKee thanked Cllr Massie for his letter and said the intent of the national planning policy was "to encourage, promote and facilitate retail investment to the most sustainable locations that are most accessible by a range of sustainable transport modes". The Minister for Public Finance said there were a "range of factors" which need to be considered in planning assessments and there were no plans to review the policy. Mr McKee said: " There is no scheduled review of NPF4 at this time, however it is helpful to have your input on the effectiveness of NPF4 policies and I am grateful to you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us."
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Battery energy storage system on prime agricultural land approved by Perth and Kinross councillors
Perth and Kinross councillors unanimously approved the plans subject to a safety plan given its proximity to the railway The development of a 49.9MW battery energy storage system on prime agricultural land in Perthshire has been given the go-ahead due to it being deemed "essential infrastructure". Consent for the latest Abernethy energy plant is however subject to various planning conditions and informatives including the submission of a Battery Safety Management Plan to Network Rail and adequate fire safety measures. The plans - recommended by planning officers for approval - were granted consent by councillors at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, April 14. Opdenergy UK 12 Ltd submitted plans to Perth and Kinross Council to develop the Perthshire village's latest battery energy storage system. The company - registered in Burnham, Buckinghamshire - is run by Spaniards Luis Cid and Abraham Morales, who are part of Opdenergy which has a growing global portfolio of renewable projects. The site is located on part of an arable field - currently in use - at Balgonie Farm, east of Abernethy and 300m west of the existing Abernethy substation. Last year, planning permission was granted for two other 49.9 MW battery energy storage systems to the east of the substation. At Wednesday's meeting, Conservative councillor Keith Allan questioned the loss of prime agricultural land for the development and asked: "Are we happy to lose that?" PKC's Major Applications and Enforcement team leader Sean Panton said: "Yes, it is prime agricultural land. However, NPF4 [National Planning Framework 4) policy five allows for an exception of prime land when it is essential infrastructure and this proposal does constitute essential infrastructure." The report - put before councillors - said the footprint of the project had shrunk by 40 per cent since the pre-application notice was submitted and "it is fully anticipated that, by the time that the proposed BESS is commissioned in 2027, further advances in BESS technology will result in a further reduction in the overall footprint of the development, and therefore, less of an uptake of prime agricultural land". Network Rail initially objected to the proposal and requested additional information in order to fully assess the impact the development would have on the adjacent railway which runs from Perth to Edinburgh. Having reviewed the additional information, Network Rail requested Opdenergy UK 12 submit a site-specific Battery Safety Management Plan, further fire safety information and a surface and foul water drainage scheme. Cllr Richard Watters questioned how these matters would or were being addressed. Mr Panton explained a further planning condition would be needed, if approved, which was missing from the report put before councillors. He said: "The condition would be that they would need to submit a site-specific battery safety management plan which would identify proposed fire detection systems being installed and how that would relate to the railway line." Moving the plans for approval, Kinross-shire SNP councillor Richard Watters - who convenes PKC's Climate Change and Sustainability Committee - said: "We do need that security for energy supply. It does provide a really good one and we've got solar and energy from waste that will be in that area soon enough. "I think having the ability to store that energy when there is surplus on the go and use it when maybe the wind isn't blowing or Scottish winter doesn't have that much sunshine, I think it's important we have these applications coming forward. "There is a concern with the prime agricultural land but the really good thing is the technology is allowing the footprint of it to get smaller." The plans were seconded by SNP councillor Ken Harvey and unanimously approved by the committee, subject to conditions.
