January 9, 2018
Scotland

Developer demands windfarm decision

By Paul Cargill | Daily Record | 9 Jan 2018 | www.dailyrecord.co.uk

A windfarm developer is growing impatient, waiting for the Scottish Government to decide on plans for a site near Gleneagles Hotel.

Graham Donnachie of Green Cat Renewables, the company behind the proposed Strathallan Wind Farm north-east of Greenscares, Braco, wrote to the government department handling the appeal at the end of December to ask what was happening.

The company’s application was refused last April after Perth and Kinross Council received more than 400 objections.

Councillor Tom Gray, then convener of the council’s development management committee, declared the scheme would “look like a bike crash” when viewed alongside other existing windfarms.

Mr Donnachie wrote to Holyrood’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), saying: “I am hoping you can provide an update on the progress of the appeal. The target date for determination was November 24.

“We last had an update on November 21 to say that the exchange of further written submissions has now concluded and that a decision will be issued by mid-December. As such, an update on the progress of the decision and anticipated date for determination would be greatly appreciated.”

The DPEA replied that Scottish Government reporter Scott Ferrie is still working on the case “although taking longer than expected”.

“He apologises for the delay and hopes to be able to issue a decision in early January,” the DPEA said.

Green Cat director Gavin Catto has said previously: “The need to develop renewable energy to fight climate change has never been greater.

“With subsidies having been removed for onshore wind, it is necessary to site windfarms in areas with good wind resource, close proximity to the grid and using the most modern efficient turbines.

“In parallel there is an increasing drive to protect Scotland’s precious landscape, minimising the impact on protected landscapes and areas of wild land.

“Finding viable projects that fit within these often conflicting requirements is always a compromise and we believe this site is a good compromise with a level of impact that is acceptable for the benefit it will create.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/01/09/developer-demands-windfarm-decision/