Plans to erect a wind turbine close to Wester Durie Farm in Leven has been
thrown out by councillors.
A planning application for the 119 metre high structure proposed by Ore
Valley Housing Association as part of their Fife Community Wind Project,
was unanimously rejected when it came before members of the Central Area
Planning Committee last Wednesday.
In a report by planning officer Sharon Dorwood to councillors she said the
proposed turbine would have a “significant detrimental effect on the visual
amenity and have an adverse landscape impact by virtue of its size,
particularly at a local level within its lowland den location”.
The application was also found to be in contravention of the Approved Fife
Council Supplementary Planning Guidance on Wind Energy (2013) which allows
a capacity for occasional turbines to a maximum height of 25-50m (blade to
tip).
As the proposed height of the turbineclearly exceeded the height
guidelines, councillors agreed that it could not be easily absorbed or
accommodated within the surrounding landscape.
Alistair Suttie, chairman of Leven Community Council, said that although
the council hadn’t discussed this particular application, “from what we
have discussed before each application should be decided on it’s individual
merits”.
He added: “As long as the local people have been fully informed and
engaged, it is up to them to make representations to Fife Council.
“It is far better for locals to help make the decisions that affect their area.”
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