November 24, 2011
Scotland

Law turbine refusal upheld

Kirsty Gibbins, East Lothian Courier, www.eastlothiancourier.com 24 November 2011

A farmer’s bid to build one of the biggest wind turbines in East Lothian next to a county landmark has been knocked back for a second time.

James Clark, of Standingstone Farm, last year applied to build a

40-metre-high turbine to the south of Traprain Law, which was rejected in April by East Lothian Council planning officials.

Planners had ruled it would be intrusive, dominate the landscape and cause a harmful impact on the appreciation of the natural beauty of the Law.

Mr Clark appealed the decision, but on Monday councillors unanimously upheld the refusal at a meeting of the Local Review Body (Planning).

Councillors John Caldwell, Paul McLennan, Sheena Richardson and John Williamson attended a site visit on November 15 to the proposed location.

They all agreed the wind turbine would have a “detrimental impact” on the area.

Mr Clark said: “I’m disappointed with the decision and we are considering our options with regard to our wind projects. I’ve not had a post-meeting discussion with my agent yet.”

Patrick Gammell, chairman of Sustain a Beautiful East Lothian (SABEL), also attended the meeting.

He said: “We feel the decision was right, that it was fairly heard and we are encouraged the councillors were unanimous in opposing it.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/24/law-turbine-refusal-upheld/