By Michael Owens
A fresh application for a controversial Angus wind farm with even larger
turbines has been launched by developers.
A previous scheme at the site on Finlarg Hill, near Tealing, was described
as “unacceptable” by the Ministry of Defence and objected to by locals.
Now, Polar Energy (Finlarg) Ltd, has put forward another planning
application to Angus Council for a reduced Frawney Wind Farm scheme, with
four turbines instead of five.
However, the turbines will be bigger than the previous application, which
was granted on appeal in January, standing at 92.5m to the tip rather than 80m.
A planning statement put forward with the application said the site was one
of the few in the county outside the Highland area that would be able to
support a commercial development.
It said: “Overall, the applicant does not consider that the proposal would
give rise to unacceptable adverse impacts when compared with the consented
scheme.
“The determination of the Frawney application has to be taken in the
context that the site presents one of only a few potential sites for
commercial scale development remaining in Angus outwith the Highland area
which can be developed without significant adverse environmental effects
and so the renewable energy benefits of this scheme should be maximised.”
Angus Council found it could not determine the initial application and a
Scottish Government reporter was brought in after Polar Energy lodged an
appeal.
Richard Dent, from the directorate for planning and environmental appeals,
granted the application, noting there was a nearby site at Govals Farm that
had plans for six turbines approved at appeal.
The Ministry of Defence had objected on the basis that there would be an
impact on radar stations while Scottish Natural Heritage said alternative
plans should have been considered.
Polar Energy says there would be more environmental benefits from the new
scheme, as it would have a greater effect creating a maximum 9.2
megawatts but they say it will not have any greater effects than the
consented scheme.
The applicants also said the Scottish Government’s reporter found the
effects on nearby properties acceptable, saying: “The reporter, in
approving the five-turbine Frawney Wind Farm, considered the potential
impact of the scheme on residential amenity acceptable.”
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