November 27, 2014
Scotland

Wind farm plans withdrawn over report delays

The Galloway Gazette | 27 November 2014 | www.gallowaygazette.co.uk

A planning application for eight wind turbines at 100m high at Larbrax, Leswalt has been withdrawn.

As reported in the Galloway Gazette last week, PNE Wind UK Ltd intend to develop the site eight kilometres north of Portpatrick and eight kilometres west of Stranraer.

However, this week the company requested its application be dropped from Wednesday’s planning meeting in Dumfries, and instead hope to re-submit a fresh application at a later date.

Delays with amendments to a report by the developers giving full information to Scottish Natural heritage over bird populations, among other issues, is thought to be the cause of the withdrawal.

In correspondence to Dumfries and Galloway Council this week, Gemma Hamilton, the project’s development manager, said: “We are disappointed that the planning department has decided to proceed with determination of this major application given that a statutory consultee request for more informationis still outstanding.

“In light of the foregoing, we are left with no option but to request the immediate withdrawal of the subject planning application.”

Dumfries and Galloway Council received 37 letters of objection to the application and four letters of support. Its planning officers had recommended the plans for refusal based on various issues including the sheer volume of similar wind farms in the area – 169 either operational or under construction;48 at appeal or awaiting determination and a further 91 at the scoping stage.

Kirkcolm Community Council offered its support, claiming it would bethe “least obtrusive windfarm development being promoted locally”.

Other supporting statements suggest the distance from residential settings mean there would be little impact on people locally.

Ms Hamilton added: “It is our intention to conclude our preparation of ongoing additional supporting environmental information with a view to resubmitting a new application at a later date to allow the proposal to be considered on all its merits.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/27/wind-farm-plans-withdrawn-over-report-delays/