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.
Pressure on Scottish Ministers to release Cockenzie site report
Pressure is being piled on Scottish Ministers to release the findings of a report into controversial plans to build on a prime coastal site. The Scottish Government called in a planning application to build a substation on the former Cockenzie Power Station site last March after the land was bought by East Lothian Council. Now, Scottish Conservatives are demanding the findings of the investigation be made public after they were sent to Ministers in private. South of Scotland MSP Michelle . . . Complete story »
John Woodcock has his say on Kirkby Moor Windfarm
The Barrow MP has waded into the debate on the future of Kirkby Windfarm. An inquiry into the future of the controversial site began last Tuesday and should conclude today (Wednesday) – although a decision is not expected to be known immediately. While John Woodcock could not attend the appeal in person as he was in Westminster in preparation for the the crucial Brexit vote, he did submit a letter which summarised his stance on the future of the windfarm. . . . Complete story »
Wind farm near Langholm approved on appeal
A council’s refusal of a wind farm described as “overly prominent and overwhelming” by officials has been overturned on appeal. A Scottish government reporter concluded the 12-turbine Hopsrig scheme near Langholm was “appropriate in scale and character to its setting”. Dumfries and Galloway Council rejected the project due to concerns about its impact on the Eskdale valley. However, it can now go ahead with a string of conditions attached. The companies behind the scheme – Buccleuch and renewable energy firm . . . Complete story »
Campaigners band together in Moray to save natural wilderness from wind farm developments
Campaigners in Moray have teamed up to curb the amount of wind farm developments in the region. More than half of the major projects across the country currently with planning applications submitted to the Scottish Government are in the north and north-east. Now Mark Holdsworth, who runs a travel firm from his home in Dallas near Forres, has formed the Save Wild Moray action group with others to warn of the effects of over development from the renewable technology. More . . . Complete story »
Councillors approve Overhill Wind Farm
A last-minute legal challenge failed to prevent councillors giving the green light to to the planned Overhill Wind Farm. The 10-turbine development between New Cumnock and Dalmellington had received over 800 objections but East Ayrshire Council’s planning committee was happy to see it go ahead with more than 40 conditions attached. Local resident Jerry Mulders challenged the competency of the application as a result of “salami slicing” the process with separate applications for the wind turbines and the connections to . . . Complete story »
Final battle over massive Friston windfarm substation set to start
ScottishPower Renewables is embarking on its Phase 4 consultation for the proposed East Anglia TWO and East Anglia ONE North offshore windfarm projects – which protesters say will have a huge impact on the county. As part of the plans, the company is proposing to build a windfarm substation at Grove Wood, Friston, which it has decided is the “most appropriate location for development” after rejecting a site at Broom Covert, in the AONB at Sizewell. There will also be . . . Complete story »
Wind farms could be built along HS2 route under confidential Government plans
Wind farms could be built along the route of HS2 in a major resurrection of onshore turbines in Britain, under confidential Government-commissioned plans. An official strategy document seen by The Sunday Telegraph proposes powering the controversial rail line using lucrative onshore wind farms spanning the equivalent of 19,000 football fields. For some stretches of the line the majority of electricity would come from solar or wind farms built “on or near” the track, according to the plans. The document indicates . . . Complete story »
Perth Aviva wind turbine plan blocked by Perth and Kinross Council
A major Perth employer has said it is “disappointed” council staff have blocked its plan to use a 77-metre high wind turbine to part-power its headquarters. Bosses at insurance giants Aviva say they are now considering their “next steps” after an application filed last September was refused by planning officers. If it had been approved, the structure – which would have been the height of more than 17 double decker buses – would have dominated the Perth skyline. The company, . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project to swallow up 3,000 sq m more of Norfolk countryside
The compulsory purchase of more than 3,000 sq m of land is being sought as part of a controversial offshore wind farm project off the Norfolk coast. Danish energy firm Ørsted wants to build one wind farm, Hornsea Three, 121km north of the Norfolk coast. A cable corridor stretching from Weybourne on the north Norfolk coast to an electrical substation at Swardeston, south of Norwich, would transport the electricity to the National Grid. And trenches up to 60 kilometres long . . . Complete story »
Scottish Government reporter system an affront to democracy
I am not surprised that Bill Thomson of Braco and SNP Councillor Tom Gray (Shock as government approves proposal for unpopular wind farm, Courier, January 21) are appalled by the decision of the reporter appointed by the Scottish Government’s Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals to overturn Perth and Kinross Planning Authority’s decision to kick out the Greenscares, aka Glenalmond wind farm application. But should they be surprised with the Scottish Government’s flawed energy policy predicated on renewables? Developers are . . . Complete story »
