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.
Difficult to believe but after 60 new Council houses have been recently occupied, Fife Council think it is acceptable to cut the only good bus service the villlage has: the 63 St Andrews to Glenrothes. Springfield Community Council has strongly opposed the cutting of the service into the village, and we have been supported by Councillor Kennedy.
The 63 takes 30 mins to get to Glenrothes, and 64 takes an hour. Its literally quicker to get on a bike than take the 64 to St Andrews or Glenrothes.
The map shows the current route. The revised route will bypass Springfield, only stopping at Station outside the main village.
Why are young families in our rural village being abandonned by Fife Council, in favour of a better service for other villages?
This is what Fife Council said:
“…..one of the main reasons that Service 63 has suffered reliability issues was the inclusion of Springfield within the timetable. Previously the timetable operated as Service 94 and did not operate via Springfield. Following the changes to Stagecoach bus services in August 2024 the service was changed to operate as Service 63, the diversion via Springfield was suggested by Moffat & Williamson who assured us that there was enough time to do so, unfortunately it has transpired that there is insufficient time for the service to operate reliably via Springfield. Many of the complaints received were from passengers suggesting that drivers were speeding to make up their time, these complaints and the reliability of the service was the main catalyst for this review. Additionally the reliability of the service was affecting the operation of Service M36 connections with the bus service in Newburgh – Service 63 continues as Service M36 from Glenrothes bus station to Newburgh.
I can confirm that various options were looked at to include Springfield within the timetable, however any change that incorporated Springfield was at the detrimental effect to other villages on the route.
I acknowledge the journey times to Glenrothes and St Andrews are longer, albeit journey times to Cupar are similar. Service 63 will operate between Cuparmuir to Pitlessie via Cupar Road and the bus stops on the south side of the station will be served. I will arrange for the Springfield Rail Station to be added to the timetable. Ladybank and Cupar are natural interchange points for onward travel for those seeking a faster journey.
Many comments were taken onboard during the consultation and implemented, unfortunately for the reasons above Springfield cannot be included at this time. However we will continue to survey the services in the area to determine if any journey time improvements can be made in the future. …”
Springfield Community Council 