A massive solar panel farm the size of 70 football pitches could sprout up on the Dundee-Angus border.
The agents for the project, which would cost tens of millions of pounds, have talked up the green credentials of their plans for the former Tealing Airfield.
But the local community are concerned at what they regard as a further attack on their rural environment.
Green Cat Renewables (GCR) has applied to Angus Council for a “screening opinion” for the proposed solar farm development.
GCR’s Graham Donnachie said the screening opinion is a preliminary step before applying for planning permission and he confirmed that the project on the drawing board is for a solar farm covering 123 acres of the former wartime airstrip.
The project, which is being undertaken by landowner Charles Simmers in conjunction with another company, would be built on the same site as a 93m wind turbine with the council considering an application for a new 86m turbine at the same location.
Experts say the solar farm, which would generate 30 megawatts of electricity, could cost as much as £30 million to build and would be eligible for a green energy subsidy from the Scottish Government.
“There would be rows of panels facing the sun and laid out to take advantage of the site’s flatness and the longer days of sunshine in this part of Scotland,” explained Mr Donnachie.
“The panels would be erected in rows about three metres off the ground and would not affect the land’s agricultural status.
“The land is arable and will still be available for agriculture.
“It would be quite possible for sheep to graze below the solar panels and I don’t believe the project will have an adverse effect on the Tealing area.
“There will be little difference between the overall appearance of the solar farm and fields full of polytunnels which are used for producing higher yields of soft fruit. There are already polytunnel fields in the area.”
There is no other commercial solar farm in operation in Scotland although several applications have been put forward.
Tealing Community Council chairman Graeme Reoch said they were making further inquiries about the project and may call a special meeting to discuss it.
Council member Nicki Donaldson said: “This may be another attack on the rural environment that we enjoy in Tealing.
“We already have one, and may soon have another, giant turbine on the site and there is a big electricity substation nearby.
“A solar farm could be another attack on the character of the place … I don’t think this is a good thing for Tealing.”