December 25, 2014
Scotland

Councillors defer Millenium Windfarm decision

By David Kerr | The Press and Journal | 24 December 2014 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Councillors have deferred a decision on a controversial windfarm extension after deciding they needed to visit the site.

Developer Falck Renewables Wind Ltd want to extend their Millennium site on the Aberchalder and Achlain estates at Glenmoriston, by adding another 10 turbines to the existing 26.

The company has asked the Scottish Government for consent to build the 430ft masts, but as a statutory consultee Highland Council must still consider the plans.

A new application for a windfarm of this size would normally be determined by the local authority, but this application is being handled by the government because it is an extension to an existing larger development.

Yesterday, members of the council’s south planning committee agreed it could not form a view on the plans until they had seen where the turbines would go.

Councillor Donnie Kerr, Inverness Central led calls for a site visit.

He said: “It’s getting to the point that we can’t tell what a windfarm will look like in the landscape without a site visit.

“We get these pictures but they are designed really to be held up when you are out at the site so you can compare.

“I think because this is an extension we really need to go and have a look.”

Highland Council’s head of planning and building standards, Ken McCorquodale, recommended that members did not object to the proposals.

Falck says the existing windfarm generates 65MW of power – enough to supply about 36,000 homes.

The extension would add another 35MW, providing power for about another 19,000 homes.

Earlier this week, the Press and Journal revealed the renewables company has been paid £7.5million to switch off its turbines and stop producing electricity since 2009.

This year alone Falck Renewables Wind Ltd received £2.8million not to generate power on 77 separate occasions.

The “constraint payments” – is money paid to energy companies to stop feeding power to the National Grid in order to balance supply.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/25/councillors-defer-millenium-windfarm-decision/