August 27, 2007
Scotland
Scotland
Another windfarm is set to get the green light next week.
Councillors are being advised to go with plans for a development at Whiteside Hill, about three miles south west of Sanquhar.
Airtricity is proposing to put up 13 wind turbines along with all the necessary infrastructure for such a site including access tracks, a bridge, substation and control building along with temporary masts.
Planners are also recommending the company be allowed to widen the U432N public road at Sanquhar and add passing places.
Members of Nithsdale area regulatory committee have been presented with a comprehensive, 167 page report on the application, ahead of their meeting next week. It reveals a solid wedge of support for the development.
Sanquhar community council carried out its own public survey of views locally. It sent out 1,000 newsletters but only around 100 slips were returned. And 92 of them were in favour of the development.
Kirkconnel and Kelloholm community council responded: “(We) wish to record our support for the Whiteside Hill windfarm project which we feel will make an important contribution to the targets established by our government to challenge global warming.”
There are 20 objections to the windfarm part of the development, 11 of them from as far afield as Basingstoke, West Sussex, Norfolk and London. A further 10 objections have been lodged over the road application, seven of them from outside the region.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has voiced fears about the Golden Plover population.
A study suggests up to eight birds could fly into the turbines every year.
The study does not cover night flying.
Planners are suggesting a number of conditions should be applied to the approvals.
24 August 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/27/turbine-site-set-for-go-ahead/