October 6, 2012
Scotland

Public given no say in decision on windfarm

The Press and Journal | 6 October 2012

A windfarm company’s appeal against refusal of its 13-turbine scheme near Inverness will be decided without ever being considered by an elected representative.

The 13-turbine scheme for Daviot south of the city by West Coast Energy was turned down by Highland Council’s planning officials earlier this year under delegated powers.

But now the Department for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) is to be decided by a site visit only, by a planning reporter. This means that the Daviot windfarm will never have been discussed or considered by elected representatives.

The council claimed it was contrary to its planning policy, would have a “significant detrimental visual impact” and could potentially affect safety at Inverness Airport.

Now the DPEA has decreed that the application will be decided by a site visit by the reporter and not by a public inquiry.

A reporter is due to be appointed to the case in the next few weeks but it is not known when the site visit will take place.

The company, which had promised to give millions of pounds to the University of the Highlands and Islands if it got permission, lodged an appeal against the refusal last month.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/06/public-given-no-say-in-decision-on-windfarm/