By Graham Brown
Green energy has sparked turbulence among Angus councillors as they get
their heads around a string of windfarm applications.
At the first development standards committee under a new local authority
meetings structure, members approved wind and water renewable energy
schemes, as well as rubber-stamping the council’s response to the planned
200-turbine Inch Cape windfarm 10 miles off the Angus coast.
The council is worried about the historic Bell Rock lighthouse being
dwarfed by turbines 5½ times its size.
The string of applications generated significant debate among councillors,
who prior to the turn of the year had approved a near 200-page assessment
for wind energy in Angus.
This will effectively become the “bible” for green scheme applications
across the district.
It has stacked the odds firmly against future major windfarms only one
exists, on Ark Hill, near Glamis by saying there are no areas of Angus
with a capacity for extensive windfarms with large-scale turbines.
Bodies including the Mountaineering Council of Scotland have already
welcomed publication of the assessment as a valuable tool in determining
wind energy applications.
However, fears have been raised that the potential limitations on
large-scale development may lead to a proliferation of single small to
medium-scale wind turbines.
And the community reaction to one of the applications considered by
councillors this week suggests the continuing drive for renewable energy
looks set to generate further controversy as more bids come forward.
The proposal for a 112ft to blade tip 50kw turbine for a site near
Carsegownie, between Forfar and Brechin, drew a number of letters of
objection but was eventually approved by nine votes to two after a lengthy
debate.
A separate plan for a 162ft to tip turbine north of Broom Farm, Tannadice
was also unanimously given the green light.
Each of the applications had been recommended for approval by planners.
Discussion on the two bids also led to warnings from some councillors that
the committee would be heading to a “dangerous place” if a refusal was
subsequently overturned at appeal and expenses awarded against the authority.
Alongside the wind turbine approvals, Southesk Settlement Trustees were
hailed for a 100kw hydro-electric scheme at Kinnaird Weir on the south bank
of the River South Esk, near Brechin.
Independent councillor Bob Spink said the river plan was an “excellent
scheme” and he encouraged other landowners to consider similar systems to
harness the renewable energy resource.
The council has prepared a response to Scottish ministers as a statutory
consultee to the scheme, which proposes up to 213 turbines with a maximum
height of 705ft to tip, capable of generating 1,050mw.
The proposed windfarm will be nine miles off the Angus coast.
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