April 10, 2015
Scotland

More time given to Highland wind farm consultation

09/04/2015 | www.strathspey-herald.co.uk

The onshore wind energy guidance consultation taking place in the Highlands has been extended.

The deadline for the public to share their views on The Highland Council’s new Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance has been extended to Friday May 22..

Once approved, the guidance will be used for determining planning applications for wind energy development in the local region..

The consultation was launched on Monday March 16 with an initial deadline of May 11. So far the authority has received “a range of responses from the public, community organisations and the development industry,” principal planner David Cowie said.

“Wind farms are an increasingly important issue for Highland and we need clear guidance on how to handle planning applications for them.

“We have received a strong response to the consultation so far.

“Key issues emerging include the importance of cumulative impacts. This is an important subject for the guidance, and one that we are proposing to address by examining where strategic capacity for wind energy remains.

“The Consultation Paper sets out 11 main issues, including cumulative impacts and mapping strategic capacity. By sharing their views, people will help us to shape the draft Supplementary Guidance and address all of the issues raised in the Consultation Paper.”

People can take part in the consultation by visiting www.highland.gov.uk/onshorewind and submitting their comments following the guidance. Anyone without access to the internet can request a paper copy by contacting the Council’s Development Plans Team at: devplans@highland.gov.uk or by writing to: Development Plans Team, Development and Infrastructure Service, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX, or by phoning the Service Centre on 01349 886608.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/10/more-time-given-to-highland-wind-farm-consultation/