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.
Moray West Windfarm in hot water with local climbers
A controversial offshore windfarm which will provide power for thousands of homes could be rubber-stamped by planners next week. The Moray West offshore windfarm is due to provide energy to 900,000 homes, with up to 85 turbines being positioned off the coast of the Moray Firth. The proposal involves laying almost four miles of cable from popular climbing spot Redhythe Point, just east of Sandend, southwards to Fordyce and then Cotton Hill. Aberdeenshire and Moray councils are due to discuss . . . Complete story »
Appeal lodged over wind farm near Langholm
An appeal has been 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. It concluded that the impact on the setting in the Eskdale valley meant the scheme should not proceed. However, developers argue that the project could go ahead with “appropriate conditions”. Buccleuch Energy has teamed up with wind farm developer Muirhall Energy to take the scheme forward. A planning . . . Complete story »
Hundreds say no to more turbines in Dumfriesshire
Hundreds of people have signed a petition against plans for a major windfarm near Penpont. Sanquhar II Community Windfarm would see 50 turbines built on the site, designed to extend the existing development to the north. The decision will lie with Scottish Government planners. The petition urging them to throw out the plans has already hit 276 signatures since being published online on Friday. The page, run by Penpont’s Susan Hall, claims the development would have an “unacceptable landscape and . . . Complete story »
Windfarm: Bid for new turbines lodged
An application for planning permission to create a 14-turbine windfarm between Coalburn and Douglas has been lodged with South Lanarkshire Council. The bid to get the go-ahead to build the Cumberhead Windfarm has been made by Mr Charles Williams, C/o Linden House, Wrexham Road, Mold, Wales. Two of the proposed turbines will be around 540ft high and the remaining 12 around 450ft high. The windfarm, if approved, would have a maximum output of 50 megawatts. The application includes the creation . . . Complete story »
Claim by Stornoway Trust that crofters’ wind farm development could undermine economic case
The economic case for an interconnector transmission cable to the islands ‘is in danger of being undermined by delays and uncertainties’ caused by a rival wind farm plan proposed by four Lewis crofting townships, according to The Stornoway Trust. The Trust is warning that unless Lewis Wind Power’s (LWP) plans can now proceed unhindered, the future of large-scale wind farm development on the islands could be at risk. The claims, part of a statement issued this week by Factor to . . . Complete story »
Appeal against Newton Mearns windfarm rejection fails
An appeal against a decision to reject plans for a new windfarm in East Renfrewshire has been kicked out. Moorhouse Windfarm Ltd had tried three times to get the green light for six turbines in Newton Mearns, between Shieldhill Farm and Moor Road. However, the proposals were snubbed after aviation chiefs claimed they could lose track of planes over the site. East Renfrewshire Council knocked back the plans in March this year, when the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) claimed . . . Complete story »
Objection to be lodged by Moray Council over controversial Speyside windfarm
Government officials have been told they must not allow the expansion of a Speyside windfarm for fear it would have a catastrophic impact upon some of Moray’s finest landscapes. The authority’s planning officers have objected to proposals that would see seven new turbines, each 500 feet tall, erected to the east of Paul’s Hill. A windfarm has been in operation on the Ballindalloch site since 2006, with 28 turbines generating energy for Fred Olson Renewables. And the energy giant has . . . Complete story »
‘More turbines would result in catastrophe’
Government officials have been told they must not allow the expansion of a Speyside wind farm for fear it could have a catastrophic impact upon some of Moray’s finest landscapes. The authority’s planning officers have objected to proposals that would see seven new turbines, each 500ft tall, erected to the east of Paul’s Hill. A wind farm has been in operation on the Ballindalloch site since 2006, with 28 turbines generating energy for Fred Olsen Renewables. The energy giant has . . . Complete story »
Plans for new windfarm at Newton Mearns rejected by Scottish Government reporter
A Scottish Government-appointed reporter has kicked out an appeal to create a new windfarm in Newton Mearns. Moorhouse Windfarm Ltd had an application for six turbines, between Shieldhill Farm and Moor Road, rejected for the third time after aviation chiefs claimed they could lose track of planes over the site. East Renfrewshire Council knocked back the plans in March this year when the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) claimed a windfarm could interfere with their radars in Glasgow and Cumbernauld. . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines a menace to wildlife
David Bellamy in his letter (Western Mail, November 8) is spot on in his assessment regarding proliferation of wind turbines and the industrialisation of the landscape. The arguments are self-evident to any rural dweller (no, not Nimbys) but it seems main pro lobby hails from urban areas where strangely they do not suffer the imposition of clean air policies! Carwyn Jones in First Minister’s Question Time on November 7 responded to a question regarding clean air standards not being met . . . Complete story »
