Wind Power News: U.K.
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Developer in bid to revise Angus wind farm project
Developers behind a 1,500 megawatt capacity offshore wind farm project off Angus are seeking permissions to revise their multi-billion pound plans. Seagreen Wind Enery Limited has submitted a new application to Marine Scotland to erect fewer, but larger capacity, turbines within two development zones approximately 27km off the Angus coast between Arbroath and Montrose. The proposal is now to install a maximum of 120 turbiness across the 391 square kilometre Seagreen Alpha and Seagreen Bravo zones, with the turbines reaching . . . Complete story »
Four in 10 wind turbine appeals won
Four in 10 wind turbine appeals decided by the Scottish government successfully overturned the original decision, the BBC has found. Official figures show 250 wind turbine applications, which were refused by Scottish councils, have been decided by the Scottish government since 2002. In 104 cases (41.6%) the original decision was reversed. Campaign groups said government planners were overruling democratic decisions taken by councils. The Scottish government said the planning system was focused on early engagement with communities. The figures from . . . Complete story »
Wind farms ‘trashing’ the countryside
The Scottish Government has been pressed to stop “trashing” the Moray countryside with wind farm developments. Fears have already been raised the region is nearing saturation point with the renewable energy technology with 156 turbines already in operation that are more than 165ft tall – with about another 100 granted planning permission but yet to be built. Now Moray Council has recommended removing the Cabrach as an “area of great landscape value” due to the construction of the Dorenell project . . . Complete story »
BBC’s stance on wind farms is a real enigma
Is the BBC losing the plot? Countryfile on September 9 appears to have thrown caution to the wind by including a number of scenes with ugly, ineffective wind-driven generators (they are not “engineering” turbines) in the background – my perception of previous programmes being that the producers of Countryfile took pains to keep these monstrous totems out of sight, which are continuing to industrialise our beautiful British countryside. Surely this different approach poses an enigma – is the BBC attempting . . . Complete story »
Kilmichael forest site for planned wind farm
An Irish wind farm developer is looking to build a wind farm in the hills around Kilmichael Glen and Ford, writes Laura Maxwell. A pre-application was submitted to the Scottish Government by Arcus Consultancy on behalf of Cork-based energy company Enerco on August 13. The proposed Glasvaar development would involve 38 turbines, constructed close to the site of the existing 21-turbine A’Cruach wind farm in the hills at the back of Lochgair. As submitted, the Glasvaar wind farm, involving turbines . . . Complete story »
Crofting Commission rules out townships’ wind aspirations
Crofters in Lewis have had development applications for wind farms on their common grazings rejected this week by the Crofting Commission. The news was revealed in a statement by the Stornoway Trust, who welcomed the long awaited decision from the Crofting Commission, not to consent the Section 50B application submitted by the Grazing Committees of Melbost and Branahuie, Sandwick East Street, and Sandwick North Street. In the judgment issued to each applicant, who had sought consent to establish wind turbines . . . Complete story »
Caithness villagers say no to ‘circle of steel’ wind farms
Protesters from the far north coast of Scotland have travelled to Edinburgh to deliver a petition against plans to build two giant wind farms in a region known for its dramatic scenery. Locals fear the schemes, which between them will consist of almost 40 turbines standing up to 140m tall, will have a “devastating” impact on the picturesque village of Reay and the surrounding countryside in Caithness. There are also concerns over the potential threat to important native wildlife, including . . . Complete story »
‘Overwhelming’ Eskdale valley turbine appeal planned
An appeal is to be lodged against the refusal of a wind farm described as “overly prominent and overwhelming” by planning officials. Dumfries and Galloway Council rejected the 12-turbine Hopsrig project near Langholm. Buccleuch Energy director Alan Wilson said that decision was “disappointing” and the company hoped to address concerns in the appeal process. The appeal will be lodged in the coming months. Buccleuch has teamed up with wind farm developer Muirhall Energy to take the scheme forward. Mr Wilson . . . Complete story »
Plans for wind turbine near Pen-y-Fan Country Park in Caerphilly rejected over visual impact concerns
Plans to site a wind turbine near the Pen-y-Fan Country Park in Caerphilly have been thrown out over concerns about its visual impact. Councillors rejected the advice of planning officers who had recommended to approve an application for a 93-metre high turbine at Durisol’s base at the Pen-y-Fan industrial estate near Crumlin. The plans were discussed under reasons for refusal at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, where councillors rejected the application over concerns about its visual impact and the . . . Complete story »
MP rebukes planners and ministers over unpopular windfarm substation proposal
Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman has ripped into the planning system and knocked government ministers out of frustration over proposals to site a windfarm substation in his constituency. Mr Freeman has penned a strongly-worded letter to the Planning Inspectorate over the scheme, which would see the future Norfolk Vanguard offshore windfarm linked in to the National Grid via a substation on a hill at Necton. Mr Freeman labelled the plans for the wind farm by Swedish power giant Vattenfall: “an . . . Complete story »
