A 9.9MWp solar farm capable of powering potentially thousands of homes will be installed on part of the former Longman landfill site after Highland Council approved the plans.
The large solar array, which will contain 18,008 individual panels attached to larger frames, will be located within a 12.5 hectare area in the south-easternmost part of the former landfill.
In all, the solar panels will have a surface area of almost 47,000 square metres. Similar 9.9 MWp (Megawatt peak) solar arrays elsewhere in the UK have been projected to generate enough power for between 1800 and 3000 properties.
The Longman was one of several sites identified by Highland Council three years ago for potential future solar farms, with figures at the time suggesting a project at the former landfill could make almost £61 million over its lifetime, off the back of an initial £14.2 million investment, and save more than eight million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
Objections to the application included ones from the public over the potential loss of greenspace, and the impact of the development on land owned by the Common Good.
In his report granting approval under delegated powers, Highland Council planning officer Ross Cubey acknowledged that the site is part of Common Good land but that this is not a material planning matter.
Addressing the loss of green space they said that the solar farm only occupies some of the wider Longman landfill area, and its lifespan is expected to be 25 years, meaning that “the development would not prejudice the long-term aspirations for the site, including its potential transition to publicly accessible open space”.
They continued: “The time-limited nature of the permission, together with the fact that the site comprises a capped landfill subject to ongoing gas management under a SEPA licence, which restricts public access and limits alternative uses, and the imposition of a condition requiring the removal of redundant panels, provides robust safeguards. These measures ensure that the site can be restored to an appropriate condition and made available for alternative uses in line with wider planning objectives.”
Elsewhere, SGN, which runs a high-pressure gas main near the site had initially objected, but later withdrew that subject to conditions being attached that an electrical impact study is carried out, and that the developer liaise with them during construction.
Glare assessments have also been carried out due to the site’s location within 10km of Inverness Airport and relative proximity to the Raigmore Hospital helicopter pad, as well as the site’s location next to rail lines.
These had noted “potential glare beyond normally acceptable limits was identified for the Raigmore Hospital Helicopter Landing Site and sections of the railway line adjacent to the development site,” said Mr Cubey, but that when the consultants reran the glint and glare assessment using panels with an anti-reflective coating, “the overall time when glare is present at the helipad was significantly reduced”.
He continued: “Similarly, the development is unlikely to result in a significant loss of amenity at residential properties. However, given the proximity of the site to existing infrastructure and the lack of previous experience with similar developments of this size in Highland area, it is recommended that a precautionary approach be taken and that a condition be considered requiring the use of photo-voltaic panels with an anti-reflective coating.”
Potential ecological impacts were also outlined in the report, with Mr Cubey saying that while the site itself ”is not considered to be of high ecological importance”, otters and badgers were known to be present in the area and that a protected species licence would be required from NatureScot before work began. However, he said the project was “likely to be successful” in obtaining one, as mitigation measures were planned, including the installation of badger gates. Measures could also boost existing biodiversity of the site by up to 10 per cent compared to leaving it as it is.
Mr Cubey added that, outwith the site itself, it lies adjacent to the Inner Moray Firth Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site protected for tern, osprey and several wader and wildfowl species, as well as the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which is protected for dolphins and subtidal sandbanks.
But he added that “NatureScot’s advice is that it is unlikely that the proposal will have a significant effect on any qualifying interests of the Moray Firth SPA or SAC either directly or indirectly” and that although NatureScot did advise that the project is “ likely to have a significant effect on the waders and wildfowl of Inner Moray Firth SPA and Ramsar site”, an assessment carried out to determine its impact had “concluded that the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the site subject to mitigation measures”.
The planning application was approved.
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