July 18, 2013
Scotland

Third time unlucky for windfarm development

The Courier | 18 July 2013 | www.thecourier.co.uk

A third bid to build a windfarm on Tillyrie Hill has been thrown out.

A meeting of the development management committee of Perth and Kinross Council decided that the three-turbine project was not in the interests of the community.

Previous proposals for five taller turbines were thrown out in 2005 and 2006, with the second application also being refused on appeal.

In a new submission, the proposed Milnathort Community Wind Cluster was reduced in number and height and the turbines were moved 50 metres in a bid to reduce visual impact.

Even with the changes, the committee heard, the turbines would be easily visible from sites up to nine miles away.

The project was being developed through a partnership between the Milnathort Future Trust (MFT), Lomond Energy and the Thomson family, who own the site.

Each of the three proposed turbines would have risen to 74 metres and could generate enough wattage to power the equivalent of 1,300 homes.

Milnathort Future Trust director David Sands urged the committee to approve the scheme, saying: “This is a real opportunity for the local community to benefit from a windfarm development.”

He said that, if the development went ahead, the community would receive £24,000 per year. It is understood that could rise to £74,000 if locals took a stake in the project.

Councillor Joe Giacopazzi argued that the cash could be used to prevent flooding and fuel poverty in the community.

Mr Giacopazzi also claimed that, though 88 letters of objection were received and 12 in support, a questionnaire given to locals was split 50/10 for and against the windfarm.

However, objector Peter Hessey dismissed the value of the questionnaire, pointing out that just 100 people had responded.

Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, welcomed the decision, adding: “The local community is also clear that they do not wish to face the same planning application again within a short period of time.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/18/third-time-unlucky-for-windfarm-development/