COUNCIL officials say controversial plans for a 230-acre solar farm in Angus should be approved – despite a backlash from the local community.
Plans for the 49.9MW Bonnyknox solar farm at Fallaws Farm near Arbirlot, to the west of Arbroath, were lodged with Angus Council in June 2025.
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) says the development would generate enough energy to power approximately 15,000 homes.
But people living in the area have previously said it would "scar" the local landscape.
A planning application for the development is now set to go before councillors for a decision next week.
More than 1100 signatures on petitions
A report drafted ahead of the meeting says the application has attracted 125 objections.
This includes two petitions with a combined 1134 signatures.
However, Angus Council planning officials have recommended the proposals should be approved, subject to conditions.
A final decision will be made by councillors.
RES recently confirmed it had made a number of changes to the proposed site layout and the solar panels.
This included reducing the panel height by 0.5m and increasing the spacing between panels.
The changes were made in response to a letter sent to RES by Angus Council planners, who had raised concerns that the proposed layout could lead to an “unacceptable industrialisation of the landscape”.
In the report recommending approval, officers say: “The proposal would deliver significant benefit, and there is a favourable policy context for renewable energy development.
‘No material considerations that justify refusal of planning permission’
“While the proposal would give rise to significant and adverse landscape and visual impacts, these are localised, and there are means to adequately mitigate impacts through planning conditions.
“Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposed development would provide a source of renewable energy generation in a manner that complies with the development plan.
“There are no material considerations that justify refusal of planning permission.”
The development standards committee will discuss the proposals on Tuesday.
