As local residents of our beloved countryside in Arbirlot Arbroath  we find ourselves facing an urgent challenge. A proposal threatens to land an 236 acre solar farm squarely on our precious arable land. This initiative, while surely arising from good intentions, will have a negative impact on the environment, devastating the delicate biodiversity of the countryside that we cherish.

Our local landscape is on the brink of being irrevocably marred by rows of mechanical structures, scarring the natural beauty that we so value. Particularly severe is the projected impact on our local bird population—an invaluable part of our ecosystem—that will be greatly disrupted by these intrusive facilities. The woodland at Kellymoor has a large variety of native trees and is home to a large number of roe deer, badgers, pine martens and red squirrels. A wide range of migratory birds use the forest as a wintering ground. The Tayside Ringing group are carrying out a programme to tag and monitor birds.Some endangered birds have been tagged and are being monitored. It is also home to a colony of bats that reside in one of the sheds.Studies show that utility-scale solar energy facilities can have significant negative impacts on bird populations through habitat loss and fragmentation (Source: Environmental Impact of Solar Energy, Journal of Green Engineering).

We should underline: we understand and indeed stress the vital importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources. However, we maintain that such a transition should not usurp the wishes and well-being of local communities, nor should it recklessly jeopardize our natural ecosystems. Instead these renewables should be put on rooftops either commercial or domestic where a connection to grid is already in place avoiding battery storage. 

Therefore, we seek to halt the development of this vast solar farm on our arable land. Instead, we advocate for balanced, considered solutions that contribute to the uptake of renewable energy without sacrificing the biodiversity and beauty of our countryside.

We urge you to support us in this cause. Please sign our petition.