October 19, 2012
Scotland

Controversial windfarm bid back in front of councillors

by Sandy Kilpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway Standard | Oct 19 2012 | www.dgstandard.co.uk

A windfarm application which received more than 200 objection letters will go before Councillors next Thursday.

Planning officers have recommended the controversial ten turbine bid at Minnygap, Lockerbie to be refused.

The Ministry of Defence and the council believe the windfarm could interfere with nuclear detectors at Eskdalemuir seismological recording station. However the council report says previous objections raised have now been addressed by applicants RES UK & Ireland Limited.

The revised bid from has brought about a reduction in the number of turbines and re-configuration of their layout stating the reasons for the original .

The turbines, standing at 125 metres to tip height would overlook parts of Lockerbie and Lochmaben.

No objections were receieved from RSPB, Historic Scotland, Transport Scotland, the council roads officer or Dumfries Police.

A planning officer said: “The proposed windfarm is within the statutory safeguarded area of the seismological recording station at Eskdalemuir and would generate additional seismic noise which could compromise the capability of the UK to detect distant nuclear tests. At present the proposed windfarm is outwith the allocated seismic noise budget and therefore refusal is recommended on these grounds.”

Visit Scotland also objected to the plans on the ground that tourists were less likely to return to a place with windfarms and that the proposal could be seen from the Southern Upland Way. Previously protestors in Moffat gathered outside a public exhibition at their town hall against the proposed 10-turbine windfarm on moorland within the Earl of Annandale’s estate at St Ann’s in 2009.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/19/controversial-windfarm-bid-back-in-front-of-councillors/