December 9, 2015
Scotland

Wind farm plans are blown away

Midlothian Advertiser | 08 December 2015 | www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk

Plans for a wind farm, which would have obstructed the view of the Moorfoot Hills to thousands, have been dismissed on appeal.

Wind Prospect Developments Limited had hoped to erect nine 102-metres high turbines at Mount Lothian, near Howgate.

Professor Tony Trewavas, chairman of Penicuik Environment Protection Association, welcomed the decision of the Scottish Government’s Planning Appeal Division.

He said: “We are very pleased because we felt this was an inappropriate application for this particular place.

“The reporter dismissed it on the grounds that the turbines would have been out of scale and would have dominated and dwarfed the Moorfoot Hills.”

Speaking on behalf of Wind Prospect Developments, Development Manager Karen Thorburn said: “We are extremely disappointed that the Scottish Government has rejected the application for the Mount Lothian wind farm.

“Many local residents expressed their support and we thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views on the proposal. During our extensive consultation it became clear that many people in the local community recognised the substantial benefits this project could have delivered locally and nationally.”

Midlothian Green councillor Ian Baxter said he had been opposed to the wind farm plan due to the lack of data.

He said: “There was no wind speed data and the test anemometer had only been installed shortly before the application was submitted.

“It wasn’t clear whether preparatory information had been carried out. I generally felt the turbines had been chosen for the site rather than the site chosen for the turbines.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/12/09/wind-farm-plans-are-blown-away/