Concerned locals have urged a developer to hold an in-person public meeting about proposals for a huge solar farm on the outskirts of Coupar Angus.
The comments were made at the first of two online public meetings held as part of the pre-planning process for the potential 100-hectare development.
Residents were concerned that older people in the area who were not accustomed to using technology, or did not own computers or laptops, were excluded from the online meeting and were therefore disenfranchised by not being able to have a say on the proposals.
In addition, maps that were shown as part of the online presentation were difficult to view due to the size of people’s screens.
Speaking at the online meeting, Alan Arrandale said: “The developers need to hold a public meeting so people who have lived here all their lives can see what is happening. The size of this development is on an industrial scale.
“Coupar Angus is the jewel of Strathmore but its in danger of becoming the sore of Strathmore due to this industrial development.”
Another local resident said that the developers had “successfully digitally excluded most of the community” and claimed that they had also refused to meet with local MSP and deputy first minister John Swinney.
However, developer Coupar Two Ltd’s Vickram Mirchandani said: “We are following government guidelines. I have heard people’s requests for a public consultation and will see how these two meetings go and take a view then.
“The empirical data is that we have 18 people here who are interested in this development.”
Samantha Dibley, who lives in Coupar Angus, said: “It comes across as though Mr Mirchandani is trying to shut down people’s opinions. There are lots of people who are working or did not have the technology to join this meeting.
“Now that Covid restrictions are being relaxed we would ask that there is a publicly-attended event as this is a large development that is larger than the town itself.
“Surely that cannot be the decision of one man?
“We are asking you to be open to people’s requests and say you will organise a public meeting rather than just saying you will think about it. We are talking about prime agricultural land here and affecting the lives of hundreds of people here in the community.
“There is a huge level of anxiety amongst local residents and the whole point of a consultation is to allay people’s fears.”
Another local resident, Bill Shaw, commented: “If Mr Mirchandani can’t take this type of questioning head on then there’s something wrong.
“He should be able to stand up and put across his reasoning.”
Mr Mirchandani said: “I am not going to commit to this at this point. Maybe in two weeks after I have had time to digest it.
“You are asking me to go over and above what is required.”
He went on: “I am not ashamed of what I am doing. I am pro-clean energy, pro-green energy.
“I am an implementer of government policy and proud of that.”
Strathmore councillor Colin Stewart was at the meeting.
He said: “The regulations for holding public consultations change at the end of this month as far as I understand it so proposals of application notice submitted after that will have to have an
in-person public consultation.
“I think a lot of people here have rural broadband which makes attending online events more difficult.
“Perth and Kinross Council did write and strongly suggest that a public meeting was held and I think that guidance from the council is worth heeding. I think it would be of great benefit.
“Engendering public confidence with the process is a beneficial thing and I would urge Mr Mirchandani to consider it.”
Mr Mirchandani said: “Legally I don’t have to do it.”
Residents at the meeting also requested that visual representations of what the solar farm could look like in the landscape were provided for the second public meeting in order to provide an indication of the size and scale of the
development.
Mr Mirchandani said: “We will endeavour to do that but how can I show you something that hasn’t been done?”
Feedback and questions on the proposed development can be submitted by emailing MarkethillSolar@arcusconsulting.co.uk or by filling in the feedback or contact forms on the website https://coupartwo.com/
Alternatively, write to Markethill Solar, Arcus Consultancy Services Ltd, 144 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2HG.
A second online public meeting is due to be held on Thursday, April 7, from 4.30-6.30pm.
