June 20, 2011
Scotland

West Coast Energy reveals plans for third wind farm in Fife

By Cheryl Peebles, The Courier, www.thecourier.co.uk 20 June 2011

A wind farm developer has unveiled plans to erect turbines at a third location in Fife.

West Coast Energy wants to harness wind power with five turbines near Largoward.

The Flintshire-based company already has the go-ahead to build nine turbines at Little Raith, near Auchtertool, and is seeking consent for seven more at Clatto Hill, between Kingskettle and Kennoway.

The turbines at Lingo, on farmland north of the B940 between Largoward and Dunino, would be 100 metres tall and capable of generating 12.5 megawatts of electricity.

The proposals were launched at Largoward Hotel, the Inn at Lathones, when the public were given the chance to ask questions about the scheme and learn about the intention to create a community benefit fund.

Project manager Jonathan Cawley said, “The Lingo site benefits from a high wind resource, making it ideally placed for a five-turbine scheme.

“West Coast Energy aims to deliver a small, high-quality wind farm development with a focus on community involvement … West Coast Energy will be looking to create a purposeful and effective dialogue with the local community at an early stage in the proceedings in order that the community view is taken into account as the proposals move forward.”

Lingo is near South Cassingray, where Cupar businessman Gordon Pay hopes to erect two 100m turbines.

A decision on planning consent is awaited from a Scottish Government reporter as Mr Pay lodged an appeal when Fife Council failed to deal with his application timeously.

The local authority has recommended the turbines be rejected.

Little Raith is the only commercial wind farm to have been given consent in Fife. Although planning consent was given more than two years ago, it is yet to be erected.

West Coast Energy’s proposal for 120m turbines at Devon Wood, on Clatto Hill, is yet to be determined by the council and has met with considerable opposition.

The firm recently increased the community benefit fund on offer in relation to that project.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/20/west-coast-energy-reveals-plans-for-third-wind-farm-in-fife/