Plans for a 115,000 solar panel development near Tealing have been presented to the public.
The proposal would see the former Tealing airfield become home to a giant solar panel farm visible from the A90.
The site to the west of Inveraldie is being proposed by Tealing Solar Park Ltd, a partnership between landowner Charles Simmers, Renewable Energy Projects Ltd and Green Ventures.
Project manager Graham Donnachie spoke to people about the plans and answered questions at Tealing Hall from 3-8pm.
He said: “We have had about 25 people through the door. There has been a lot of interest in it and I think people have left slightly happier for knowing what’s involved. Once they found out more I don’t think there was any great concern.”
While many people had been supportive there were a few concerns raised, mainly about the perceived industrialisation of the area.
He said: “A few people have concerns, like with any development. It is not so much the solar panels but there has been concern over another planning application for the area.”
The panels, standing at 2.5 metres tall, are elevated from the ground and there are plans to graze sheep on the land, which is currently used to grow potatoes.
Mr Donnachie said they also intend to plant more wild flowers at the site and, if there was an issue with the visual impact, this could be mitigated by planting hedges around it.
The value of the former airfield site could rise to as much as £15 million with solar farm consent 15 times higher than its agricultural market value.
If approved the 30 megawatt system could provide 11% of the electricity usage for Angus.
Mr Donnachie will also attend Tealing Community Council’s next meeting on Wednesday to discuss what benefits the development will bring for the community.
There are a few ideas to be discussed, one of which is to provide free solar panels for the roof of the Tealing Hall, while another is to create a series of footpaths in the area to link up some of the villages.
However these, and other proposed community projects, are dependent on the scheme getting planning permission from Angus Council.
A formal planning application is expected to be submitted to the council by the end of this month and people will be able to express their opinions.
Many people who attended yesterday’s event took the time to fill out feedback forms, which the developer will consider.
Anyone who missed the presentation but still has questions about the proposal is being invited to contact Mr Donnachie on 0131 440 6155.