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Biggest Community Solar Farm Project in Scotland Moves Forward

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14 Apr, 2025

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

A major new community solar project is coming to the Isle of Arran in Scotland. The 6 megawatt Glenkiln solar farm will be Scotland’s largest entirely community-owned solar farm.

The £5 million ($6.48 million) project proposal recently gained planning approval and will move forward in securing construction financing, Energy Global reported. According to Arran Community Renewables (ACR), the local Community Benefit Society behind the project, Glenkiln solar farm will generate enough energy to power around 1,250 households per year by the time it is in operation in 2027.

The site will span 8.6 hectares (20 acres) and, according to the proposal, will include around 10,000 solar panels. The project proposal also mentioned goals to incorporate sheep grazing around the solar panels and biodiversity incorporated in the design to benefit local wildlife.

“We are very pleased to be working with ACR to establish another renewable energy project on Glenkiln which provides further diversification of our business and financial benefit to the wider Community,” Kenneth Bone of Glenkiln Farm, who is allowing ACR to lease the site for solar development, said in a statement. “The solar farm will complement our existing hydro scheme perfectly with hydro generating power during wet periods and solar in drier spells. Another benefit is that the layout of the solar panels allows us to continue to graze sheep between the solar panel arrays. Together, both schemes on the farm will contribute significantly to Arran becoming net-zero.”

An image of sheep grazing alongside solar panels, in the proposal for the Glenkiln solar farm. Arran Community Renewables

According to ACR, this major community solar project will help Scotland reach its goal of zero emissions by 2045 while also reducing fossil fuel dependence and increasing energy resiliency on the Isle of Arran.

“With this decision, we move one step closer to realising the full potential of true community-led renewables and the benefits that a project like this can bring to the island,” said Chris Grainger, director at ACR, as reported by Energy Global. “The hard work is not over, but we look forward to the next stage — securing construction finance, growing our local membership and getting boots on the ground.”

This is the first energy project from ACR, The Herald reported. Although Scotland is moving toward cleaner energy sources and will soon close its only oil refinery, there has been apprehension and backlash over renewable energy development. Offshore wind energy has significantly helped power Scotland, but when it comes to solar, citizens have expressed concerns over loss of farmland and the reliability of solar in a rainy climate.

However, supporters of the developments are confident that these projects, particularly community renewables, will provide reliable, emissions-free energy for years to come.

“We are delighted to be supporting Arran Community Renewables as they prepare to launch their community share offer for what will be Scotland’s largest community solar farm,” said Morven Lyon, Head of Democratic Finance at Development Trust Association (DTA) Scotland, as reported by Energy Global. “This project is a stellar example of a community taking the lead in the renewable energy transition, ensuring that the long-term benefits are shared equitably and sustainably.”

The post Biggest Community Solar Farm Project in Scotland Moves Forward appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Sydney developer Billbergia Group has announced the Rhodes Recreation Centre — an $85 million, 9200 m2 multi-purpose community hub in Sydney’s Inner West.

Located at 6 Gauthorpe St and designed by architectural firm SJB, the recreation centre is in a three-level podium building beneath two high-rise residential towers — the 48-level Peake and 43-level Oasis. Together, they form stage two of the developer’s Rhodes Central Masterplan — a $3 billion, three-stage town centre project.

The Rhodes Recreation Centre was delivered under a $97 million Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the developer and City of Canada Bay Council. It will be handed over to council next month and is set to open later this year. Once complete, the masterplan will have delivered 25,000 m2 of dedicated public amenity, including retail, community facilities and open space.

With the NSW Government’s housing reforms set to address the housing shortage, the recreation centre will reflect the importance of ‘placemaking’ — a collaborative approach to designing and managing public spaces that enhances community wellbeing and fosters connections between people and their environment — in planning new urban communities.

It also presents a pathway for public and private sectors to collaborate and create social infrastructure while increasing housing supply in fast-growing suburbs.

The recreation centre is set to add vibrancy and pedestrian activity to the local streetscape, providing a diverse range of facilities that enhance the livability of the evolving suburb. These community amenities include two full-sized indoor sports courts, a gymnastics centre, a 70-place childcare centre, a community lounge, allied health services, and bookable spaces for local groups and events. It also provides a gym with cardio equipment, weights, group fitness rooms, a creche and an outdoor terrace, alongside a range of sustainability features.

Facilities at the Rhodes Recreation Centre. Images supplied.

“Rhodes Recreation Centre is the community heart of our high-density TOD development, bringing to life Billbergia’s vision for a future-focused, livable urban environment that prioritises amenity, not just density,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.

The amenities within the two residential towers include a swimming pool, spa, sauna, children’s play area, library and theatre rooms. Pedestrian connections and through-site links provide access to Rhodes railway station and the Homebush Bay waterfront.

“The Rhodes Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in successful public–private collaboration. Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, livable neighbourhoods,” Moran said.

Located adjacent to Rhodes railway station, stage one of Billbergia’s Rhodes Central Masterplan was completed in 2021 and included the 13,000 m2 Rhodes Central Shopping Centre, with convenience retail, a Woolworths supermarket, medical facilities and the Bamboo Lane dining precinct.

Other previous projects include the 1.2 ha Phoenix Park in Rhodes, the $63 million Bennelong Bridge, the popular Baylink Shuttle service, the 3500 m2 Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library, and the Wentworth Point Pop-Up Town Square.

Billbergia’s ongoing focus on placemaking and social infrastructure also includes the $8.4 million delivery of a library at its mixed-tenure development, Arncliffe Central, in Sydney’s south. There is the potential for 75% of Arncliffe Central’s dwellings to be dedicated to social, affordable and essential worker rental housing, along with 3400 m2 allocated to childcare, convenience retail and cafes, and a 4000 m2 park with play space for both residents and the broader community.

Top image caption: The Rhodes Recreation Centre location with two planned residential towers, Peake and Oasis. Image supplied.

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