By Graham Brown
A key planning blueprint appears to have closed the door on future
large-scale windfarm developments in Angus.
The long-awaited strategic landscape capacity assessment for wind energy in
Angus was commissioned to assist the decision-making process over wind
energy development proposals and planning applications.
In a statement already welcomed by anti-windfarm campaigners, the
assessment has determined that “there are no areas of Angus with an
underlying capacity for extensive windfarms with large-scale turbines”.
Stretching to almost 200 pages, the report (PDF link) was drawn up by
consultants Ironside Farrar after being commissioned by Scottish Natural
Heritage in conjunction with Angus and Aberdeenshire councils.
The consultants term turbines of more than 80 metres in height as large.
Angus has only one operational large-scale windfarm, comprising eight 81m
turbines, at Ark Hill, near Glamis.
Earlier this week, Scottish Government reporters cleared the way for a
six-turbine scheme at Govals Farm, adjacent to the A90 between Forfar and
Dundee, but dismissed an appeal over a five-turbine plan for Dodd Hill,
north of Tealing.
There are 116 turbines operational or consented in Angus more than 15
metres high. The environmental consultants deem the “dramatically
presented” definition between highland and lowland as a key factor
affecting larger schemes.
Ray Gibson of Angus Communities Windfarm Action Group welcomed the
statement in relation to large-scale turbines, but said the group remained
“seriously concerned” about small cluster and single turbine development
across the county.
1 Comment