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AN eight-week public consultation on proposals for a solar panel array in an Easter Ross town starts today.
Two grazing sites have been earmarked around Tain which would be used as income-generating solar schemes supplying Scottish Water Wastewater Treatment Works and the Glenmorangie Distillery.
Because the Blairliath grazings sites are classified as common good, Tain residents must be consulted by Highland Council before a final decision is made.
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Activists behind plans for a replacement to Tain Royal Academy Community Complex (TRACC) are keen to determine what income the solar scheme could generate.
Last month, Tain Community Council chairman Alan Mohun told us: “We hope Highland Council’s consultation will agree to ring-fencing the income and allow the Royal Burgh of Tain Community Council to continue working collaboratively with Highland Council to see the new facilities delivered without delay.”
Highland Council has launched a statutory Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 consultation giving locals until March 16 to respond to a proposal to change the use of common good properties.
A statement issued by the local authority today says: “The council wish to develop two ground-mounted solar PV array sites on common good land as part of the Energy Investment and Innovation workstream in the Our Future Highland Delivery Plan 2024-2027. The proposal will generate and distribute renewable energy, supporting local industry and meeting net zero ambitions.
“Two sites have been earmarked which are the Blairliath Grazings 13-acre site and Blairliath Grazings 4-acre site, located along the railway line adjacent to the Blairliath Industrial site and Dornoch Firth foreshore. Both are utilised as annual grazing lets however one of the sites has remained unoccupied for some time.
“The council is keen to hear the views of Tain residents regarding the proposal to change the use of common good land. The consultation is specifically related to common good requirements on the use of the land. Should the proposal proceed, statutory consents relating to the development will be required, including those related to planning.
“All submissions will be given full regard before a decision is taken. The consultation representations and responses including the outcome will be published on the council’s website.”
What’s the plan?
At Tain North, the council is considering the development of a 121kWp ground-mounted solar PV array which would directly supply renewable electricity to the Scottish Water Wastewater Treatment Works. That would include approximately 220 solar panels installed at the site. The project could include a small battery energy storage system to enhance efficiency and resilience. The proposal will take up approximately 40 x 85metres of the site (approximately 034ha). The remaining 5.46ha would continue as grazing land available for future lets.
The Tain South proposal south of the railway is on land that has remained unoccupied for several years. The proposal would look to accommodate the entire 4.7ha site to supply renewable electricity directly to the adjacent Glenmorangie Distillery.
The background papers state: “Due to national grid constraints locally and difficulties accessing the Tain sub-station, neither project are being developed to supply electricity to the grid for export. Instead, they will generate renewable energy which will specifically be used for these sites.”
What’s in it for Tain?
The minimum 25-year project would generate income for Tain Common Good Fund. Papers state: “As the proposal is at an early stage, the financial amount is yet to be determined and would be subject to the final array size, return achieved from the sale of electricity (based on a per kwh generated) and build cost to develop the project.
“The project requires planning permission to progress to the next phase which is to develop the business case including the funding and delivery options. Once the options have been considered the financial return to the Tain Common Good Fund will be discussed and confirmed with local members.”
A report on the outcome of the consultation will be presented at the Black Isle and Easter Ross area committee. A copy of the representations and responses will be published on the council’s website.
The consultation documents and information on the process to dispose or change the use of common good property is available on http://www.highland.gov.uk/common-good-asset-changes.
People are asked to lodge written responses by March 16.
This can be done on an online form https://forms.office.com/e/m4zsLFMp6C or via email to common.good@highland.gov.uk
Comments can also be mailed to: Common Good Fund Officer, The Highland Council HQ, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX.

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