January 13, 2012
Scotland

Giant wind turbine to be rejected

by Jennifer Buchanan, Ayrshire Post, www.ayrshirepost.net 13 January 2012

Plans for a massive 77 metre high wind turbine in Kirkmichael are set to be rejected.

Intelligent Land Investments hoped to build the huge turbine at Goosehill Farm, 2km east of Kirkmichael.

But South Ayrshire Council environmental health officers have recommended that the plans be refused as, at nearly 253ft high, it would dominate the landscape.

There are already two small turbines at Drumore Farm just north of the village.

But at just under 20 metres to the tip, the planned giant would be nearly four times the size with a 50 metre tower and a rotor diameter of 54 metres.

The council received seven letters of objection to the plan agreeing with the environmental health officer that the size of the turbine would be disproportionate to the area.

And Prestwick Airport have also submitted an objection as the turbine is likely to be visible to their primary surveillance radar.

But one nearby resident sent in a letter of support stating that the turbine is preferable to nuclear power.

Intelligent Land Investments submitted diagrams showing the turbines distance from watercourses, nearby roads, woodlands, shadow flicker and a 400m buffer for noise levels.

But the environmental health officer did not agree that the noise levels would be acceptable.

In his recommendation to the council he said: “At 77 metres to blade tip, the proposed turbine cannot be considered to be of small scale.

“The applicant has submitted generic noise data that suggests that the noise levels would be acceptable at residential properties in the locality.

“I have considered this information but am not in agreement that noise levels would indeed be acceptable.”

He continues: “The applicant’s zone of theorectical visibility indicates that the turbine would be visible from the village, from the category A listed Drumfad, the B listed Kirkmichael House and designed Garden Landscape.

“The turbine would also be readily visible from Maybole, Crosshill and Straiton, as well as the road network and countryside connecting these settlements.

“The turbine would also be the dominant focal point on entering South Ayrshire along the minor route from Patna.”

Planning officers have now recommended to councillors that the plan is refused.

Council members of the planning regulatory panel will now decide the fate of the turbine when they meet on January 19.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/13/giant-wind-turbine-to-be-rejected/