A huge solar farm consisting of 20,000 panels has been approved by Angus Council.
The farm, located on a field 225 metres north of Pressock Farm at Guthrie, will be capable of generating up to 5MW enough to power 1,100 homes.
The contentious planning application by Green Power Consultants received 149 letters to Angus Council 72 letters of objection and 74 letters of support as well as three letters with general comments.
Concerns were raised about the visual impact of the development but the application seeks to mitigate this with hedgerows around the site to provide visual screening.
A landscaped bund will be created along the western edge of the site.
Another concern was the loss of prime agricultural land but the applicants carried out a soil assessment which showed the land was not prime.
The letters of support highlighted the long-term environmental benefits of clean and sustainable energy which would help Scotland reach its renewable energy target.
The 20,000 panels will be mounted on galvanised steel structures which will be driven into the ground.
Their maximum height will be 3.2 metres.
A condition of the approval is that the solar array and infrastructure will be removed no later than 26 years after electricity is first generated.
No concrete will be used for the panels so the land can be easily restored in the future. The site will have perimeter fencing and CCTV columns at each corner as well as small equipment housing, which will be placed at strategic locations and painted green.
Sepa removed an objection to the plans, stating the structures including the fence and construction area is far enough away and unlikely to cause impact on the wetland.
Historic Scotland did not object to the proposal but noted the solar farm’s proximity to the House of Pitmuies where the gardens are an attraction.