The developer of the proposed solar farm at Rankeillour is holding a public event to discuss the solar farm with the community.

We’ve been discussing it at the Community Council, and have also discussed the proposal with the developer. 

Springfield Community Council is not in principle opposed to a solar development though its large scale does concern us.  Its huge – over 200 acres.  It will stretch all the way to Bow of Fife railway crossing on Sweetholme Rd. 

We think there are several points that the village needs to come together on:

1. Boundary is too close to the village

The current boundary (red line) comes right up to the village.  Though the developer says the solar panels won’t come as close as the red line, they could do if planning permission is granted on the red line area.  We need to send a message that the boundary needs to be further away from the village – behind the beech wood strip. 

2. Access for walking must be preserved

Lots of people take access walking path, field edges and farm tracks.  The solar development must not prevent access because of perimeter fencing or other barrier.

3. Community benefit payment is too little.  It should be about £150k per year.

This is a £60 million plus project which would be one of the biggest in Scotland. 

The developer is proposing only £25k/yr as a community benefit payment  If this was an onshore wind farm of the same power, they would be paying over £300k/yr !!  Plus more for the battery energy store.

So we’re being short changed.  Solar is less profitable so a fair payment would be about a third of onshore wind, so we should be getting about £100k for the solar panels.  And more for the huge battery store.   A fair figure would be £150k/yr 

And think what Springfield could do with that sort of money each year.  New sports facilities,  a better hall, pay for more youth clubs.  It would make a huge difference.