September 11, 2010
Scotland

Mounting opposition to Clatto windfarm plans

By Liz Rougvie, Fife Today, www.fifetoday.co.uk/ 10 September 2010

Opposition is mounting to two separate planning applications which together would see 10 wind turbines erected on rural farmland between Cupar and Kennoway.

The Clatto Landscape Protection Group has lodged objections to plans submitted by West Coast Energy, who want to erect seven 120-metre turbines at Devon Wood, and Green Cat Renewables, who are seeking permission on behalf of landowner Douglas Rennie for three 100-metre turbines on Clatto Hill.

The group is the second to announce their intention to oppose the applications.

Last month the amenity group Clatto Community Woodlands also said they would be lodging objections.

Clatto Landscape Protection Group says there are ‘many reasons’ why they are urging Fife Council to reject both schemes, claiming that the applicants have both ‘totally underestimated’ the numbers of people who would be affected.

It claims that in the case of the Green Cat scheme, 40 households would be inside the recognised two-kilometere buffer zone included in planning policy, while if the West Coast Energy scheme came to fruition more than 100 households would fall within the buffer zone.

That would mean residents would suffer significant noise problems as well as loss of visual amenity.

Chairman Greg Brown said: “This area is extremely popular for quiet outdoor recreation, with few places offering distant views out in all directions as Clatto Hill does.

“When you consider how the huge renewable energy sources in the seas around Scotland are beginning to be exploited on a major scale, what is the point of spoiling beautiful beautiful landscapes like Clatto Hill?”

However, the developers claim that the turbines would meet the energy needs of thousands of homes and, in the case of the Devon Wood scheme, the local community would benefit to the tune of more than £1.3 million.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/11/mounting-opposition-to-clatto-windfarm-plans/