We cherish the scenic beauty, tranquility, and prosperity of rural Perthshire. While green energy projects like solar developments are essential for carbon neutrality, their placement must be proportional, sustainable, and strategically planned. Without clear guidelines, unchecked expansion risks damaging our landscape, displacing agricultural land, and creating an unbalanced approach to renewable energy deployment.

Currently, solar development proposals are proliferating at an alarming rate, disproportionately targeting prime agricultural land rather than more suitable locations such as brownfield sites or rooftops of commercial and industrial buildings. Instead of consuming valuable farmland, we should first maximise solar potential on existing infrastructure, reducing the need for large-scale rural developments while generating power closer to where it’s used.

In light of recent political and economic instability globally, the importance of food security cannot be overemphasized and being self sufficient must be prioritised. Additionally, the absence of solar panel recycling requirements raises huge concerns about long-term environmental sustainability and councils should ensure robust recycling measures form an essential part of any solar panel proposal.

Without comprehensive planning criteria  that assess cumulative impact, proportionality, site suitability, and long-term sustainability, we risk permanent landscape changes, food insecurity, and an avoidable waste crisis. We therefore urge PKC Council to pause all solar development approvals until a robust, location-sensitive, and proportionate planning framework is in place—one that prioritises rooftop and brownfield solar, protects agricultural land, and mandates solar recycling measures.

Join us in supporting the Collace Solar Objection Group by signing this petition. Let’s protect rural Perthshire while advocating for a smarter, fairer, and truly sustainable approach to renewable energy—one that balances carbon goals, food security, and landscape preservation.