We should check what protection is there to prevent one big Fife windfarm  

Credit:  The Courier, www.thecourier.co.uk 9 March 2012 ~~

With farmers and developers trying to get planning permission for windfarms all over Fife, we should check what protection the council is offering Fifers and our tourist trade against Fife becoming one big windfarm.

In 2006 Fife Council commissioned and adopted a study by a firm called ASH. The study’s conclusions are used to guide developers to suitable locations.

ASH reported that nowhere in Fife is suitable for turbines over 100 metres tall. The firm also said that turbine numbers should be limited to up to five in a group, unless they are lower than 50 metres tall.

Upland areas where turbines would be prominently in view are discouraged.

So how do council planners reflect those findings?

At Clatto Hill, they are ignored. Planning officials have recommended that the planning committee approves two applications side by side on top of the Hill totalling eight turbines: three 100 metres tall and five 115 metres tall.

So there you have it, developers. It would seem that you can apply for whatever you like.

However, at two council area committees in February almost all councillors saw things differently and suggested the planning committee should actually follow the guidelines and turn down the applications at Clatto Hill.

What the planning committee does at Clatto Hill will be a signpost for the future of Fife.

Will the county become a windfarm, or not?

(Mr and Mrs) J. Wilson.
Brooklynn,
Dunduff,
Dunfermline.