November 11, 2011
Scotland

Plans for 18 extra turbines in Ochils

by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday, www.stirlingobserver.co.uk 11 November 2011

The first of three applications which could create a total of 18 wind turbines in the Ochils has been submitted by developers.

A planning application for the proposed Rhodders Wind Farm was submitted to Clackmannanshire Council this week.

The proposal consists of nine 2MW wind turbines, each with 60 metre high towers and blades 42 metres long, giving an overall maximum height of 102 metres.

The nine-turbine project, immediately to the west of the operational Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm, is one of three being developed in the area by Wind Prospect.

The other two sites – the seven turbine Frandy Hill Wind Farm and the two turbine Burnfoot Hill Extension Wind Farm, both within Perth and Kinross – are located to the north and east of the operational Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm.

Applications for Frandy Hill and the Burnfoot Hill Extension will be submitted to Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department within the next fortnight.

Wind Prospect first announced it was considering further development in this area in May when plans for 22 additional turbines were unveiled.

The company said detailed consultation with Clackmannanshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, a variety of statutory and non-statutory consultees, community councils, local groups and organisations, as well as members of the public, has been “invaluable” in helping it to design what it considers to be the most appropriate sites for the location, consisting of a total of 18 additional turbines.

Wind Prospect will be holding two public exhibitions in the coming weeks. The first will be held in Devonvale Hall, Tillicoultry on Tuesday November 22, from 3pm until 7.30pm, and the second is at Blackford Village Hall on Wednesday November 23, from 3pm until 7.30pm.

The exhibitions will give members of the public the opportunity to find out more about all three of Wind Prospect’s proposals, view copies of the Environmental Statements (which have been submitted along with the planning applications) and put questions regarding the proposals to the development team.

Sarah Dooley, senior development manager for the project, said: “The threat of climate change is being realised and now is the time to tackle the problem.

“Wind energy is both clean and reliable and will play an increasingly important part in Scotland’s future energy mix, supplying electricity whilst at the same time helping to prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

“Scotland has a vast wind energy resource and these three projects represent a real opportunity for both Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross to increase their contributions to meeting Scotland’s green energy targets.”