May 18, 2019
Scotland

Councillors poised to block Ellon turbine plan

By Ken Duncan | Ellon Times | 17 May 2019 | www.ellontimes.co.uk

A lack of evidence showing MoD and air traffic control radar mitigation could see the rejection of a proposed wind turbine near Ellon.

Councillors agreed a delegated grant for the turbine at Cardinghill – which would measure just under 100m to wing tip – in November last year.

But it was subject to applicants Cardinghill Renewables Ltd providing a detailed assessment of the proposed mitigation measures for consultation with the MoD and the removal of its objection within a six-month period.

The local authority also wanted written confirmation from NATS, Aberdeen International Airport and the National Grid demonstrating withdrawal of their objections.

An additional condition to the 12 others previously recommended was that the turbine could be programmed to deal with any potential issues caused by shadow flicker.

Formartine Area Committee will hear on Tuesday next week, however, that its planning service has yet to receive confirmation from any of the consultees that their objections have been lifted within the agreed time frame.

In a report, Infrastructure Services director Stephen Archer says: “Clarification has been sought from each of these consultees as to whether any discussions have been ongoing with the applicant/agent seeking to resolve these objections since that committee date.

“At the time of writing this report, only NATS have responded indicating that while there is ‘the potential for the objection to be removed…. we don’t seem to have an agreement in place with the applicant’.”

Mr Archer recommends that in light of the proposal “potentially having a detrimental impact on air traffic control systems”, the application be refused.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/05/18/councillors-poised-to-block-ellon-turbine-plan/