The first public consultation events for a proposed massive solar farm over 24 sites from Gretna to Eaglesfield in Dumfries and Galloway have been held – as an action group and a petition have been set up to oppose it.
The Dumfriesshire project, known as Wyseby Hill Energy Farm, has lodged a “proposal of application notice” with Dumfries and Galloway Council in a bid to generate “clean, renewable energy” through a solar photovoltaic array electricity generating scheme.
Centred around Wyseby Hill Farm at Kirkpatrick Fleming and spread out over the fields around different settlements including Gretna, Chapelknowe and Eaglesfield, it would span 3,250 acres – the equivalent of 1,842 football pitches.
Stockport-based developers Green Energy International have begun backing up their pre-application with two public consultation events held on Thursday and Friday at The Smiths hotel in Gretna Green.
However, their invites to pre-book attendance at the meetings only fell through residents letterboxes two days before they were due to be held, generating complaints over the short notification.
GEI said that the energy farm – which involves 14 landowners – has stressed that it is “in the early stages of development”.
They have identified 196 residential properties within 100 metres of the various sites and said the consultation days had been affected residents’ “first opportunity to get involved and help shape the development moving forward”.
They said their aim is to “create a sustainable future by generating enough electricity to power 197,000 homes and businesses” and there will be three more opportunities for public consultation in 2025.
The developers also said: “The planning process includes a full environmental assessment, community consultations, and collaboration with local stakeholders” and that their “voice matters in shaping the future of this project”.
GEI added that by engaging now, residents, can “directly influence how Wyseby Hill Energy Farm evolves, ensuring that the development meets the needs of the local community while supporting a greener sustainable future for all”.
Their outline plans include constructing a new 400Kv substation that would connect to the National Grid at Chapelcross.
One Chance – Wyseby Hill Solar Farm Action Group has been set up by residents worried by the scale of the scheme and a Facebook page has attracted more than 300 members.
An online petition set up by resident Ryan Mason has attracted 447 signatures so far.
He said: “Whilst we acknowledge the importance of green energy for a sustainable future it should not be at the expense of our beautiful region. There are surely other areas more suited to this?
“If this goes ahead there will be no stopping further areas throughout the region and beyond being destroyed in the name of green energy.”
It is understood that plans will not be finalised for at least 15 to 18 months.
If approved, GEI hope to start building in 2028.