April 29, 2011
Scotland

Carsecreugh wind farm rejected

The Galloway Gazette, www.gallowaygazette.co.uk 28 April 2011The Galloway Gazette, www.gallowaygazette.co.uk 28 April 2011

An application for 18 wind turbines at Carscreugh Fell, near Glenluce was turned down after a vote at a meeting of the Dumfries and Galloway Planning applications committee in Dumfries on Wednesday.

The application, from Gamesa Energy UK, was for the erection of a “renewable energy park” to comprise of eighteen 44 metre high turbines, 40 photovoltaic cells on the roof of the control building, access tracks, an anemometry mast, underground cabling and four borrow pits.

Although council officers had recommended the application be approved the members of the committee voted seven to five to refuse.

A council spokesman said: “The planning application was refused on the grounds that the development would be contrary to structure plan policies S21, S22, E3 and E12 in terms of landscape and visual aspects; and contrary to policy E13 in terms of safeguarding archaeological interest and character.”

THE site of the Wickerman Festival at East Kirkcarswell Farm, near Dundrennan, Kirkcudbright, will now have a permanent office base and training area after planning permission was granted at the council’s monthly planning meeting earlier this week.

The application, from site owner Jamie Milroy, is for a change of use of the main part of the steading building to form offices and a training area for festival staff and associated internal and external alterations. Alterations to the building would include the installation of a first floor level to accommodate three offices, all with en-suite WC and shower facilities while on the ground floor there will be a large office/meeting room with WC and a storage area.

Although council officers had recommended the application be approved the members of the committee voted seven to five to refuse.