Scottish island residents fight plans for solar farm size of 22 football pitches

The residents of a small Scottish island have come together to push back on plans to construct a solar farm said to be the size of 22 football pitches.

Approximately 250 people on the Isle of Cumbrae in the lower Firth of Clyde gathered at the Glaid Stone, the island's highest point, for a rally over the weekend. It marks the latest development in a seven-year-long battle between locals and developers of the proposed solar farm.

The rally was intended to bring attention to the dunlin, one of the endangered species of bird recorded at the site of the development. Protestors brought their own paper dunlins as part of a large-scale landscape artwork assembled at the peak of the island.

As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, the proposed solar farm would take up 1.3 per cent of Cumbrae's total area. There have been recorded sightings of 56 species of bird at the site — 20 of which are endangered — while its panoramic views are a major draw for tourists.

Energy company Comsol's plans for the farm were rejected by the North Ayrshire Council earlier in 2023. However, it has now put in an appeal with the Scottish Government, who may overturn the decision.

Secretary of Cumbrae Community Council Keith Hammond commented: "This proposal by an outside developer would have no benefit to the community, would create no jobs and would not provide energy to the island. It cuts across the community-led Carbon Neutral Islands Initiative which is based on grassroots, community-led energy located on sites where it would benefit rather than damage the island.

"This site is sensitive, because of its location which brings tourists and walkers to the island, and is a place where so many people come to remember family members. Many choose to have