CONCERN has been expressed this week by Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell at the prospect of a large swathe of Annandale farmland being carpeted in solar panels.
He was reacting to news of the proposed giant solar farm scheme by Green Energy International, which would span 3250 acres between Eaglesfield and Gretna Green.
Titled Wyseby Hill Energy Village, it would also include a battery storage facility.
A proposal of application has been lodged with Dumfries and Galloway Council by the firm.
However, Mr Mundell believes the project is just the latest in a long line of “so-called” green schemes that industrialise the countryside.
Instead of helping the planet, he is of the view that such developments simply drive food production overseas, something which he says is both bad for the environment and puts the country’s longer-term food security at risk.
Mr Mundell said: “While I fully understand why these schemes are attractive to individual farmers and landowners – especially when they continue to be shafted by the SNP – the scale of this project is a major cause for concern. It will effectively carpet a huge area of productive farmland, creating an eyesore for local residents and those travelling through our region.
“Far from delivering green economic benefits, my concern is projects on this scale simply drive farming and food production out of Scotland – destroying jobs and our planet in the process.
“We really need to question the trend to industrialise our countryside and ask our governments how they plan to feed the country in the future.”
