November 10, 2006
U.K.

Fife has 'obligation' to build windfarms

The German firm behind proposals to build a windfarm in Auchtermuchty has said north east Fife must play its part in meeting Scotland’s green energy targets.

EnergieKontor, has been at the centre of controversy since it announced it intended to build windfarms near Auchtermuchty and at Gathercauld, Ceres.

This week it said that despite Fife Council failing to meet the 16-week deadline to make a decision on the application to build 20-metre high turbines in Auchtermuchty, it was prepared to give the local authority a ‘stay of execution’.

As revealed in the Fife Herald last month, the company coud have lodged an appeal with the Scottish Executive on the grounds of non-determination, but has decided, for the meantime, not to do so.

Spokesman Mick McLoughlin said the firm was prepared to give Fife Council more time to look at the plans as they would prefer the local planning authority took the decision rather than the Executive.

However, Mr McLoughlin said they could not wait “forever and a day”.

“We have spent a lot of money and time researching this and we believe the site in Auchtermuchty is one of the best in Fife for a windfarm,” he said.

“We looked at lots of sites in Fife and then narrowed it down to 12.

“From our environmental impact assessment and Scottish Natural Heritage’s ‘traffic light’ system we selected Auchtermuchty and Gathercauld at Ceres as the best sites.

“The Scottish Executive has policy of promoting renewable energy and there are targets to be met. Windfarms have been built in other areas, but Fife has none yet.

“It has to realise it has an obligation to produce some of the area’s green energy. The windfarm wouldn’t be there forever, just the next 25 years.”

fifenow.co.uk


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/11/10/fife-has-obligation-to-build-windfarms/