The Dumfries and Galloway Council has granted planning permission for a significant solar farm project, known as the Little Drum Solar Farm, which will span 43 hectares (106 acres) near nationally significant Bronze Age rock art. Located just over one mile (1.8 km) southeast of Kirkcudbright, the solar panels will not be visible from the town due to the intervening rolling hills, ensuring minimal visual impact on the historical site. The nearest panels will be strategically positioned 250 meters (820 feet) from the rock art, which is recognized as one of Scotland’s finest examples from the Bronze Age and a site of national significance.
The project is expected to generate approximately 36 megawatts of electricity and will include a 12 megawatt battery storage facility to enhance energy efficiency. The area surrounding the development also possesses several non-designated archaeological features, including an inaccessible monument that indicates the location of the rock art.
In a noteworthy addition, the approval stipulates that a path will be constructed to the monument, allowing public access for the first time, and must be completed within three months of the solar farm becoming operational. Despite prior concerns, Historic Environment Scotland did not object to the project, noting that the distance between the solar arrays and the monument, as well as the design features, mitigate potential impacts on the historic environment.
Even with approval in place, construction cannot commence until further archaeological investigations are concluded and approved by the council to ensure the preservation of any undiscovered historical features. The developer is expected to initiate the construction within three years and the overall work is anticipated to take around nine months.
The solar farm is designed for a lifespan of 40 years upon completion, and developers have committed to implementing landscaping and biodiversity enhancement measures. These measures aim to improve the local ecosystem by removing invasive species and planting native trees, flowering meadows, and hedgerows, thereby contributing positively to both energy production and environmental conservation.
