August 15, 2014
Scotland

Call for public inquiry over windfarm plan

Carrick Gazette | 14 August 2014 | www.carricktoday.co.uk

Members of a community council in Carrick are calling for a public inquiry into a decision to grant a windfarm application near Straiton.

They are now writing to energy minister Fergus Ewing, in protest of the Scottish Government’s decision to grant the windfarm planning application.

Crosshill, Straiton and Kirkmichael Community Council say they are ‘disappointed, dismayed and alarmed’ at the granting of planning approval for the Dersalloch windfarm, four kilometres east of Straiton.

The community council say that 4723 objections were filed against the proposal while there were only 23 letters of support.

Scottish Power Renewables have been granted permission for 16 turbines with a tip height of 125m and seven turbines with a tip height of 115m at Dersalloch Hill.

The development has been in the pipeline for over a decade but was scaled back following concerns from the Scottish Natural Heritage.

The windfarm will have a maximum generating capacity of 69MW, enough to generate power for the equivalent of 32,500 homes.

Writing to Mr Ewing, Henry Anderson, chairman of the community council, said: “This decision has been reached in an exceptionally short period of time since the revised application was made and local democracy seems to have been ignored.

“This appears to be an example of high-handedness on the part of the Scottish Government going against the recommendations of two local councils, namely South Ayrshire and East Ayrshire, two community councils, Dalmellington and Crosshill, Straiton and Kirkmichael, as well as the wishes of the community and wider community.”

“You state in your letter of decision that SAC failed to meet the deadline for response and for that reason there iwll not be a public inquiry, this is vehemently refuted by the head of South Ayrshire’s planning panel.

“We would urge you to think again and, at the very least, take this to a public inquiry.”

Lesley Bloomer, South Ayrshire Council’s Executive Director – Economy, Neighbourhood and Environment, said: “We are actively considering any implications for the Council of the Scottish Government’s consent for the Dersalloch windfarm.”

Simon Christian, UK Managing Director, ScottishPower Renewables said: “After a lot of hard work and significant effort right across our company for many years, we are delighted to see this consent issued by The Scottish Government. Dersalloch has always had the potential to be a significant renewable energy project

“We have overcome a number of obstacles, negotiating on a wide range of technical and environmental issues, and we look forward now to starting construction at Dersalloch later this year. This will create opportunities for local business to become involved, with associated positive economic benefit within the local area.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/08/15/call-for-public-inquiry-over-windfarm-plan/