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PLANS to build a £30million solar farm in Port Glasgow have been approved by councillors.
Members of Inverclyde Council’s board voted four to two in favour of granting permission for the Knocknair Renewable Energy Park scheme, despite the recommendation of the authority’s own planning officers that the application should be turned down.
The solar array will be built on land south of Dougliehill Road and east of the B788.
The board reached a decision after members paid a visit to the site of Renewco Power’s proposed development.
Councillor Stephen McCabe (Labour, Inverclyde East), who proposed the motion to approve, said: “I thought the site visit helped me to make a more informed decision.”
The 25-megawatt facility will have around 600 solar panels.
Officials had stated in their report: “The development would introduce extensive energy infrastructure into an area currently characterised by openness and simplicity.
“As a consequence, the proposal would undermine the role of the green belt in protecting the landscape setting and identity of Port Glasgow, erode the environmental quality of the green belt and contribute to the increasing industrialisation of this sensitive upland fringe.”
Only one representation was received from the public on the plans, with the Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce expressing its support.
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They said the development would “strengthen the local economy, create employment opportunities and encourage sustainable economic growth”.
The Chamber also said local businesses would have the capacity to participate in the project’s supply chain and share in the wider economic benefits.
Councillor McCabe told the board’s meeting: “There is no doubt the application will have an impact on the green belt. But the issue, for me, is balancing that against the national imperative to move away from fossil fuels to more sustainable energy generation
“Solar has got to be part of the mix, and we in Inverclyde have to make our contribution.
“On balance I believe we should grant this with appropriate conditions. I don’t agree it will lead to an industrial landscape.”
Each of the 602 solar panel frames at the development will be mounted about three metres above ground.
The site will also include a distribution network operator brick-built cabin, a user substation and security measures such as fencing and CCTV.
Construction is expected to take around six months.
Councillor Graeme Brooks (Conservative, Inverclyde North) proposed an amendment to refuse the application, saying he agreed with officers’ recommendations, but his bid for refusal was defeated in the final vote.
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