January 31, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Councillors will debate the Blackcraig windfarm application for a fifth time on Friday, February 2.
Scottish and Southern Energy’s (SSE) multi-million pound project has been in the hands of Dumfries and Galloway Council for five months.
But next week they look set to come to a long-awaited final decision on the controversial 23-turbine development in the Glenkens.
The Scottish Executive – who will decide whether or not to give the windfarm the go-ahead – await the views of the council who are consultees in the project.
A windfarm at Blackcraig would cover an area of 9 sq. km, generate 69MW of electricity with the turbines standing 365ft tall.
Both the Stewartry area committee and the planning and environment services committee voted against the development.
A petition by 12 councillors – initiated by George Prentice – asked officials not to act on the decision and instead refer the proposals for further assessment.
The application was then sent back to planning and environment services committee members who last week took just 15 minutes to request a full council meeting on the project.
SSE are currently bidding to build a 200-turbine development in the Shetland Islands.
The “super windfarm” would produce 600MW of electrical generation – enough output to power a quarter of all of Scotland’s homes.
A deal has already been agreed in principle between the developers and Shetland Islands Council.
Meanwhile, SSE have had a project approved in the Borders – after a public inquiry.
They will begin work on a 12-turbine development later this year at Toddleburn which is expected to be fully operational by 2009.
Jan 25 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/01/31/new-date-set-for-blackcraig/