September 21, 2013
Scotland

Windfarm opposition to be ignored

Sep 19 2013 by Stuart Gillespie, Galloway News, dgstandard.co.uk

A windfarm development looks set to get the go-ahead despite 50 objections.

And the council’s own landscape architect, as well as environmental standards, have also called for the 11-turbine Loch Hill Windfarm near Dalry to be booted out.

But planners are urging councillors to approve the plans next week.

They say the “impact on the landscape created by this proposal is outweighed by the overarching policy requirement to meet renewable energy targets”.

The proposals, from Loch Hill Windfarm (Scotland) Limited, would see 11 turbines, 100m tall, built on the site along with the necessary infrastructure for a windfarm.

However, the council architect wants planning permission to be refused because there would be “an unacceptable level of landscape, visual and cumulative impacts”.

The environmental standards officer also wants the plans turned down as in their current state there would be a noise impact on nearby properties.

National Air Traffic Services are also worried, although have suggested approval should their concerns be dealt with.

A total of 53 letters of objection were received expressing concerns about the potential impact on the landscape, tourism, road safety and other issues.

The report by case officer Judith Turnbull mentions no letters of support, although none of the other bodies and officials consulted have objected if certain conditions are met.

Ms Turnbull does not agree with the architects’ concerns and believes “the proposed development would not have such significant adverse landscape and visual impacts as to merit refusal”.

She also points out that while environmental standards are concerned about a noise limit of 35 decibels being breached, information provided by the developers shows it would only be exceeded by 0.4 decibels and it would be “unreasonable” to turn down the plans on this “very marginal exceedence”.

She recommends the planning applications committee approve the plans on Tuesday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/21/windfarm-opposition-to-be-ignored/