Windfarm firm dismisses Ceres concerns
An alleged discrepancy in information relating to the proposed windfarm near Ceres is simply the result of different numbering systems, according to the company behind the proposal.
EnergieKontor UK director Guy Wilson said he had looked into the matter raised by a campaigner opposing the Gathercauld application, Graham Lang, and reported in the Fife Herald and St Andrews Citizen earlier this month.
Mr Lang had questioned whether the Ministry of Defence, which withdrew its objection to the project in October, had accurate information about the positions of the five wind turbines planned for the site.
Mr Wilson said there had been no mistake and the given positions were correct.
However, the EnergieKontor application and the MoD had just numbered the five turbines differently.
“There’s nothing behind it,” he said in dismissing the concerns.
In response to Defence Estates’ original objection, EnergieKontor had reduced the height of three turbines, by two, 13 and 14 metres respectively, while two turbines were unaffected and remained at 80 metres.
Mr Lang had also asked why only three turbines had been altered when the original objection related to four.
A Defence Estates spokesperson said: “Although part of one turbine will be in line of sight to the air traffic control (ATC) radar at RAF Leuchars they will not reflect enough energy to appear on the radar screen and will not, therefore, affect the safety of the air traffic service provided from that radar.
“As a result, there is no reason for the MoD to continue to object to the planning application,” said the spokesperson, adding the developer and Fife Council had been informed.
Mr Wilson said EnergieKontor had written to Fife Council since the MoD situation had been resolved and felt the application could now be determined on the information available.
“We’re in contact with some people locally and see that there is quite a lot of support,” he added.
EnergieKontor lodged its Gathercauld application about 18 months ago and it has attracted hundreds of submissions, both for and against the proposal, as well as many letters to the Fife Herald.
The negotiations with Defence Estates delayed the application’s progress and Fife Council officers are yet to confirm when it will be considered by the north east Fife area committee, which next meets on January 21.
By Janet Howie
18 December 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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