A reminder that planning permission has been submitted to South Lanarkshire Council for a massive solar array , nearly HALF the size of Blantyre itself, right on our doorstep, across the Expressway on the upper fields of High Blantyre.
The full planning application by the Applicant (P/25/0887) has been received by South Lanarkshire Council and seeks permission, under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, for the construction of a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Array comprising of over 114,000 solar panels on land at High Blantyre, North of Calderside Road, G72 9UF.
The scheme proposed for 11 fields adjacent to the Upper Calder would also surround Auchentibber and Calderside Farms.
Concerned, local community groups have been meeting recently at Redburn Farm Inn and more recently at the Barnhill Tavern.
The scheme proposes the installation of a ground-mounted Solar PV Array with an importing-and-exporting capacity of up to 85 MW. The development will comprise rows of PV modules mounted on frames, inverter and transformer stations, two 33 kV substations (including one for the Distribution Network Operator), internal access tracks and areas of hard-standing, security fencing, pole-mounted CCTV cameras, and a landscape buffer comprising new native planting and biodiversity enhancements.
For the record, we’ve already sent a lengthy objection given the overwhelming loss of amenity, lack of consideration of heritage and history on almost every one of the 11 fields it’s proposed upon and not withstanding that its taking up the green space between Blantyre and East Kilbride. Given our stance, we’re willing to assist and join with any community group or organisation in constructing meaningful and robust objections.
Your opinion is of course up to you. We’re sure planning would like to hear your thoughts. Support and objections to this scheme can be submitted here:
- via email: representations@gov.scot (stating planing reference P/25/0887)
- by writing to:
Energy Consents Unit
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
More information can be found at https://publicaccess.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=T061INOP09500
Either way, we would strongly encourage all residents in Blantyre to make their voices heard in this matter, having their say for if this is permitted, it will certainly change our surrounding countryside potentially for decades. Please share.
I can only hope the Blantyre community gets together in one voice to get this proposal put down.
Support from East Kilbride and Hamilton communities would help.
Any councillors looking to approve this should get voted out as early as possible.
Hard to believe the communities would not fight like hell to stop this.
Pulling in wildlife and environmentalist organisations would help too.
The land is privately owned, so there will be other potential uses should this fail. It is not just this project but potential others in the future.
Please do everything possible to save further commercialisation of the Blantyre and surrounding areas.
Great -hope it’s approved👍🏻