OFFICIALS are recommending the refusal of a controversial application for a battery energy storage site (BESS) beside a historic battlefield.
The plan for the land around the Perthshire village of Tibbermore beside the battlefield of Tippermuir is to be considered by Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday.
It is vigorously opposed by the surrounding community and council officials have now recommended its refusal on the grounds that it would “erode the local distinctiveness, diversity and visual quality of the landscape”.
News of the recommendation of refusal has been welcomed by objectors who are hoping it will lead to the refusal of another planning application nearby for one of the largest solar farms in Scotland.
Kenny Simpson, chair of Methven and District Community Council, said: “I am delighted that Perth and Kinross Council are listening to the people. This is totally the wrong site for a BESS project, being in the greenbelt and on good agricultural land that is very important for our food security.”
Objector Clive Wood who lives just yards from the proposed battery energy storage site, also welcomed news of the refusal recommendation and praised council officials for not bowing to pressure to develop a new “industrial site” in the greenbelt.
“Local residents were totally dismayed by these proposals, which would bring zero benefit to the community and would place potentially toxic lithium batteries on good agricultural land, adjacent to residential property,” he said.
“The site is subjected to regular flooding and most unsuitable for these plans. It is now totally appropriate that council officers are recommending the refusal of this BESS application from Root Power North.
He added: “Continuing with the full support of our local councillors and Methven Community Council, we are now refocusing our attention to stop Scotland’s largest solar farm arriving here, which would see the use of greenbelt in Scotland for wealth generation, with absolutely no return to our local community.”
Richard Mills whose home would be completely surrounded by solar panels if the second plan gets the go-ahead, said it was encouraging that the council officials were taking residents’ concerns seriously.
“The negative visual impact in a green belt situation is one of the main reasons the PKC Planning Team are objecting to the Tibbermore BESS plans,” he said.
“The negative visual impact on the core paths through the proposed Kinnon Park Solar development has also been highlighted by the manager in charge of the Perth and Kinross development team, not just because of the immediate view of the panels but because there would be an increased sense of enclosure by proposed tall hedges close to the path compared to the current open views across farmland.
“This is encouraging that they are taking ours’ and others’ concerns seriously.
“We are hopeful for a good outcome for the BESS site which will help us to further resist the industrialisation of Tibbermore.”
A total of 96,084 solar panels are planned for the solar farm which would also include battery energy storage units.
It would still cover 125HA over 12 fields and would generate up to 49.9MW for a period of 40 years, according to consultants for the company, Namene Solar.
The Battle of Tippermuir, also known as the Battle of Tibbermore, was fought in 1644 and was significant as the first victory of the Marquis of Montrose’s extraordinary campaign within Scotland on behalf of Charles I. The Royalist forces won a decisive victory over the larger, less experienced, Covenanter army.
