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Wind Power News: Scotland: ''
The best deal offered to Scotland or just bribery? Two communities split by wind farm
This is a tale of two communities and a wind farm in West Lothian. One, the village of Kirknewton, is mostly thrilled at the prospect of a new wind farm, which stands to deliver many millions – but which cannot be seen from there because it is five miles away. Then there is the other, the people living near to the site, Fauch Hill, along the road below it and in the nearby village of Tarbrax, some of whom may . . . Complete story »
Lawyers deny Trump ‘bias’ claims
Lawyers acting for the Scottish Government have denied claims that the decision to approve an offshore windfarm in sight of Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course was biased. The US property tycoon’s legal team say a number of factors suggest Scottish Government officials were predisposed to back the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC). Mr Trump opposes the 11-turbine scheme, claiming it will spoil the view from his coastal golf course. His challenge to the legality of the Scottish Government’s approval . . . Complete story »
Scottish Water’s reservoir windfarm bid will see turbine talks in Angus Glens
New proposals for an 18-turbine windfarm in the Angus Glens will be the subject of consultation this month. Eneco Wind UK and Scottish Water have announced plans for a development at Backwater Reservoir, as the utility company investigates self-sufficiency. The developer will explore possibilities for a windfarm of up to 54MW on Scottish Water land on the reservoir’s east shore. The firm said the turbines would generate almost a third of its annual energy requirement. Known as Macritch Hill. after . . . Complete story »
Community payments by windfarm operators labelled ‘pie in the sky’ by Angus campaigners
A protest group against turbines near Brechin has unleashed a broadside after an appeal was made to Angus Council on behalf of developer Eurowind UK. Director Ian Lindsay asked the council to consider a clear ”win-win” in supporting the 17-turbine development at Glen Lethnot, while a £200,000-per-annum community benefit has been suggested. But a representative for anti-turbine lobby Stop Windfarm At Nathro (Swan) has rubbished economic benefits for the area. ”The potential damage to the local economy which would result . . . Complete story »
‘How many are too many?’ — councillors fear cumulative effect of Angus wind turbines
Individual wind turbines could eventually “ring fence” Angus hillsides, councillors have claimed. Councillors on the development standards committee approved a single turbine at Edzell on Tuesday, despite worries over its proximity to the Caterthuns. Brown and White Caterthuns are the setting for hillforts classed as Scheduled Ancient Monuments, which Historic Scotland has said could be affected by wind development. A council officer said on Tuesday that plans for an installation west of Auchenreoch Farm, Inchbare, was in the planning pipeline, . . . Complete story »
‘The landscape is worth far more than that’: windfarm windfalls criticised by Angus campaigner
“Pie in the sky” community payments offered by windfarm companies in Angus have been criticised by a local campaigner. The Scottish Government is considering a 17-turbine proposal by Eurowind UK, intended for a stretch of land at Glen Lethnot. While Angus Council considers its input as a consultee, Eurowind has reiterated the economic opportunity Nathro Hill windfarm could deliver to the Angus economy. Director Ian Lindsay has urged the council to consider a clear ”win-win” situation for the economy. ”There . . . Complete story »
Firm wins approval to extend Tullo windfarm near Laurencekirk
Eneco Wind UK Ltd has won approval to extend its seven-turbine Tullo windfarm, near Laurencekirk, by three turbines. The firm had permission to extend it by one turbine, which was proposed in the original application but not put up due to grid constraints. These have now been lifted and work will begin on extending the 17MW development next year, making for a generating capacity of 25MW. Eneco has also bought the rights to build six turbines on adjacent land, which . . . Complete story »
Councillors reject wind turbine plan for farm near Ceres
Plans for a 45m-high wind turbine at North Callange Farm, near Ceres, have been turned down by councillors. Fife Council’s North East Fife Area Committee went seven votes to three against the application by Adam Waldie, of North Callange Farm. Fife Council planning service had recommended conditional approval of the turbine. The report stated: ”With regards to its impact on the natural and built environment it is considered that the proposed scheme would have no significant detrimental impact with respect . . . Complete story »
New plans submitted for windfarm on Tillyrie Hill
A planning application for the proposed Milnathort Community Wind Cluster has finally been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council, triggering a new public consultation. It comes as the community partner behind the project, the Milnathort Future Trust (MFT), meets this week in a bid to expand its membership. The controversial plan would see three 800kW wind turbines erected on Tillyrie Hill, some three kilometres northwest of Milnathort. Each of the turbines would rise to 74 metres and would reportedly generate . . . Complete story »
Government reporter upholds refusal of Fife windfarms
Anti-windfarm campaigners are celebrating after a Scottish Government reporter dismissed two separate appeals and refused planning permission for 10 turbines at a Fife beauty spot. Green Cat Renewables has been told the main reason why its application for three 100 metre tall turbines at Clatto Farm, near Cupar, has been rejected is because the proposal would interfere with the main radar at RAF Leuchars. It would also have an adverse visual impact on nearby residents – some within 700 metres of . . . Complete story »