March 7, 2013
Scotland

Ashfield turbine plans being considered

Mar 6 2013 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer | www.stirlingobserver.co.uk

Plans could be lodged to erect three wind turbines near Ashfield.

VG Energy are proposing the turbines – which are 40 metres to hub height and 54.4 metres to blade tip – around 0.8km north west of the village, around 1.2km north of Dunblane.

The company has requested a “screening opinion” from Stirling Council planners to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed.

The planners say an EIA should not be sought, adding: “A supporting Environmental Report should, however, be submitted incorporating the noted assessments and also include an appropriate traffic impact assessment.

“As the adopted locational guidance and supporting development plan policies presume against this scale of development at this location, it will be necessary for the report to include a detailed assessment as to why, in the opinion of the developer, the guidance and policies should be set aside.”

The planners say the area has several “environmental sensitivities” and council location policy for wind turbines identifies the site as within an area of significant protection, adding: “Ashfield is a Conservation Area, the inventory battlefield site of Sherrifmuir covers an extensive tract of rising land to the east and there are sites of archaeological interest in the vicinity.

“The proposal is, however, not within or is likely to have a significant effect on ‘sensitive areas’, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, International Conservation Sites, Scheduled Monuments and National Parks. The number and size of turbines is also considerably less than that typical for larger scale windfarms, where an EIA is normally required.

“VG Energy have also indicated they will carry out a detailed landscape and visual impact assessment and undertake detailed assessments of impacts on historic environment, local ecology and noise.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/07/ashfield-turbine-plans-being-considered/