A significant proposal for a new solar energy development, potentially featuring nearly 200,000 solar panels, has sparked immediate public concern in Perthshire. The ambitious Dupplin Solar and BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) Farm, slated for agricultural land stretching alongside the A9 near Tibbermore, has prompted a local councillor to take a public stand, echoing growing sentiments about the region’s landscape.
Councillor Frank Smith, representing the Almond and Earn ward, made his opposition clear by staging a solitary protest outside a recent public engagement event in Methven. Armed with visually striking placards, Councillor Smith’s message was unequivocal: “Stop all wind and solar farms now, keep Perthshire beautiful.” His demonstration, held prominently as dozens of residents attended the consultation at the community centre, garnered visible support from passing motorists, many of whom offered gestures of encouragement.
Councillor Smith expressed profound apprehension regarding the increasing number of renewable energy applications across Perth and Kinross. He articulated a core concern shared by many in the community: the permanent allocation of valuable agricultural land for industrial-scale energy projects. This issue is particularly sensitive in Perthshire, a region renowned for its fertile farmlands and picturesque scenery, which many fear could be irrevocably altered by such large-scale installations. The councillor’s plea to “start standing up now, and to say ‘stop, enough is enough’” highlights a perceived saturation point for such developments in the area.
The proposed Dupplin Solar and BESS Farm is a substantial undertaking. It envisages approximately 195,000 solar panels installed on fields situated to the north of the A9 Dunblane-Perth road, specifically along the Windyedge Straight. Its vast footprint would extend prominently from the Kinkell Bridge turn-off all the way to the Tibbermore junction, making it a highly visible feature for anyone travelling this major arterial route through Perthshire.
Given the sheer scale of the Dupplin project, its ultimate fate will not rest with Perth and Kinross Council, but rather with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit. This central government oversight mechanism is triggered for developments of national significance, underscoring the immense size and potential impact of the proposed solar farm. The developer, BLC Energy, anticipates submitting its formal planning application in early 2026, setting the stage for a prolonged period of scrutiny and public input.
This is not the first large-scale solar proposal to meet resistance in the immediate vicinity. Another significant project, the Kinnon Park solar farm, currently finds itself in limbo, with its decision put on hold by Perth and Kinross Council pending further guidance from the Scottish Government. Notably, the Kinnon Park project, which is approximately half the size of the Dupplin Estate scheme, had already attracted a substantial 336 objections, signaling a robust local opposition to such developments.
As part of its proposal, the Dupplin Solar and BESS Farm is expected to establish a community benefit fund, a common feature of large renewable energy projects designed to offer local advantages. This fund is projected to provide £48,750 annually, intended to support various community projects. In what BLC Energy describes as a “pioneering” approach, a portion of this funding would be directly allocated to individual households grappling with the escalating cost of living, the cessation of winter fuel payments, and other economic challenges. This direct household allocation is an attempt to mitigate local concerns by providing tangible, individual benefits.
Neil Lindsay, managing director of BLC Energy, addressed attendees at the Methven consultation, emphasizing that the land designated for the Dupplin project would remain suitable for grazing livestock, even with the installation of the approximately two-foot-tall solar panels. He urged local residents to evaluate the Dupplin proposal strictly on its “own merits,” seeking to decouple it from other, potentially more controversial, developments in the region. The company’s engagement efforts include showcasing a 3D model at events to illustrate the project’s visual impact, or lack thereof, from various vantage points across the landscape.
The Methven session was the inaugural event in a series of public consultations. An online presentation is scheduled for Monday, September 1st, for those unable to attend in person, requiring prior registration. A second comprehensive public exhibition is planned for early December, to be followed by another online presentation, ensuring multiple avenues for community feedback and engagement.
The broader context for these local debates is a dynamic policy landscape. The same day as the Dupplin event, Perth and Kinross Council’s economy and infrastructure committee agreed upon new draft guidance for renewable energy developments. This updated framework is now set to undergo its own public consultation, reflecting a concerted effort by local authorities to manage the proliferation of such projects and address community concerns through robust planning. This guidance is expected to provide clearer criteria and local priorities for future applications.
The region is currently a focal point for numerous other renewable energy proposals. Councillors are anticipated to consider strong objections to plans for a 12-turbine wind farm at Glentarken, located west of Crieff, in the coming week. A crucial public meeting dedicated to discussing this and a neighbouring 19-turbine wind farm planned for Glen Lednock is scheduled for Comrie next Tuesday. Furthermore, additional renewable energy projects are under active consideration in areas such as Fowlis Wester and Logiealmond. The cumulative impact of these various schemes on Perthshire’s cherished natural environment and local communities remains a central and evolving discussion.
Councillor Frank Smith, representing the Almond and Earn ward, made his opposition clear by staging a solitary protest outside a recent public engagement event in Methven. Armed with visually striking placards, Councillor Smith’s message was unequivocal: “Stop all wind and solar farms now, keep Perthshire beautiful.” His demonstration, held prominently as dozens of residents attended the consultation at the community centre, garnered visible support from passing motorists, many of whom offered gestures of encouragement.
Councillor Smith expressed profound apprehension regarding the increasing number of renewable energy applications across Perth and Kinross. He articulated a core concern shared by many in the community: the permanent allocation of valuable agricultural land for industrial-scale energy projects. This issue is particularly sensitive in Perthshire, a region renowned for its fertile farmlands and picturesque scenery, which many fear could be irrevocably altered by such large-scale installations. The councillor’s plea to “start standing up now, and to say ‘stop, enough is enough’” highlights a perceived saturation point for such developments in the area.
The proposed Dupplin Solar and BESS Farm is a substantial undertaking. It envisages approximately 195,000 solar panels installed on fields situated to the north of the A9 Dunblane-Perth road, specifically along the Windyedge Straight. Its vast footprint would extend prominently from the Kinkell Bridge turn-off all the way to the Tibbermore junction, making it a highly visible feature for anyone travelling this major arterial route through Perthshire.
Given the sheer scale of the Dupplin project, its ultimate fate will not rest with Perth and Kinross Council, but rather with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit. This central government oversight mechanism is triggered for developments of national significance, underscoring the immense size and potential impact of the proposed solar farm. The developer, BLC Energy, anticipates submitting its formal planning application in early 2026, setting the stage for a prolonged period of scrutiny and public input.
This is not the first large-scale solar proposal to meet resistance in the immediate vicinity. Another significant project, the Kinnon Park solar farm, currently finds itself in limbo, with its decision put on hold by Perth and Kinross Council pending further guidance from the Scottish Government. Notably, the Kinnon Park project, which is approximately half the size of the Dupplin Estate scheme, had already attracted a substantial 336 objections, signaling a robust local opposition to such developments.
As part of its proposal, the Dupplin Solar and BESS Farm is expected to establish a community benefit fund, a common feature of large renewable energy projects designed to offer local advantages. This fund is projected to provide £48,750 annually, intended to support various community projects. In what BLC Energy describes as a “pioneering” approach, a portion of this funding would be directly allocated to individual households grappling with the escalating cost of living, the cessation of winter fuel payments, and other economic challenges. This direct household allocation is an attempt to mitigate local concerns by providing tangible, individual benefits.
Neil Lindsay, managing director of BLC Energy, addressed attendees at the Methven consultation, emphasizing that the land designated for the Dupplin project would remain suitable for grazing livestock, even with the installation of the approximately two-foot-tall solar panels. He urged local residents to evaluate the Dupplin proposal strictly on its “own merits,” seeking to decouple it from other, potentially more controversial, developments in the region. The company’s engagement efforts include showcasing a 3D model at events to illustrate the project’s visual impact, or lack thereof, from various vantage points across the landscape.
The Methven session was the inaugural event in a series of public consultations. An online presentation is scheduled for Monday, September 1st, for those unable to attend in person, requiring prior registration. A second comprehensive public exhibition is planned for early December, to be followed by another online presentation, ensuring multiple avenues for community feedback and engagement.
The broader context for these local debates is a dynamic policy landscape. The same day as the Dupplin event, Perth and Kinross Council’s economy and infrastructure committee agreed upon new draft guidance for renewable energy developments. This updated framework is now set to undergo its own public consultation, reflecting a concerted effort by local authorities to manage the proliferation of such projects and address community concerns through robust planning. This guidance is expected to provide clearer criteria and local priorities for future applications.
The region is currently a focal point for numerous other renewable energy proposals. Councillors are anticipated to consider strong objections to plans for a 12-turbine wind farm at Glentarken, located west of Crieff, in the coming week. A crucial public meeting dedicated to discussing this and a neighbouring 19-turbine wind farm planned for Glen Lednock is scheduled for Comrie next Tuesday. Furthermore, additional renewable energy projects are under active consideration in areas such as Fowlis Wester and Logiealmond. The cumulative impact of these various schemes on Perthshire’s cherished natural environment and local communities remains a central and evolving discussion.