By Jamie Buchan
Green energy developers have mounted a bid to rescue a controversial plan
to expand a Highland Perthshire windfarm.
The 14-turbine Calliacher development was completed at Amulree last year.
Earlier this summer, an attempt by Perth-based project leaders I&H Brown to
extend the project by a further seven turbines was kicked out by
councillors in the face of widespread opposition.
Perth and Kinross Council planners received 52 letters and emails from
residents calling for the extension to be scrapped.
Among the main concerns raised were a potential loss of amenity and
“overdevelopment” of turbines in the area.
RSPB Scotland also objected, claiming that the turbines could pose a risk
to local species, particularly hen harriers and black-throated divers.
In May, members of the council’s development management committee rejected
the plan.
Now, agents for I&H Brown have made a formal approach to Scottish
ministers, urging them to overturn the decision and the Directorate for
Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) is considering the company’s
submission.
In an environmental statement submitted to the Scottish Government on
behalf of I&H Brown, consultants argue that the project will not have a
significant impact on the landscape and state that the windfarm, known as
North Calliacher, would have “very limited visibility” from nearby roads
and railway lines.
They also argue that none of the eight species of birds which could be
harmed by the turbines would be significantly affected, either during
construction or once the extension is operational.
When the proposal came before councillors in May, planning officers were
criticised for appearing to suggest that Highland Perthshire was being used
as a dumping ground for wind turbines.
Their report recommended that the scheme was passed in the hope that it
would “allow other areas to remain free of wind energy developments”.
The claim was dismissed by Councillor Ian Campbell as “complete nonsense”.
Conservation charity the John Muir Trust had also objected to the plan.
A spokesman said: “The trust is committed to policy principles that support
the current targets of the UK Government and devolved governments for
greenhouse gas emissions reduction as these are the primary public policy
tools directed at climate change mitigation. However, the trust does not
support the construction of industrial-scale wind-energy developments on
wild land, or developments that would impact adversely on wild land.”
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