A developer has asked the Scottish Government to rule on plans for a giant
new wind farm after a council was cut out of the decision-making process.
Hundreds of objections have been made against the Mount Lothian Wind Farm
project, which would see nine 335ft-high turbines built on land owned by an
aristocratic family in the Pentland Hills.
But because Midlothian Council failed to reach a decision on the proposal
within four months of the application being submitted, renewables firm Wind
Prospect has filed an appeal to the Scottish Government.
The move effectively cuts the local authority out of the equation and the
fate of the wind farm – planned for land owned by Sir Robert Clerk – now
lies in the hands of the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals
(DPEA).
A Midlothian Council spokeswoman said it had been caught in a “catch 22”
situation as it couldn’t approve or reject the planning application, which
has drawn 750 objections, without hearing from a series of statutory
consultees.
However, while it was waiting for responses, it ran over the decision
deadline, allowing Wind Prospect to act.
Karen Thorburn, development manager at the energy firm, said: “The decision
to lodge an appeal was taken as the council did not determine the
application within the statutory period and did not request for that period
to be extended.”
The move by the developer has now drawn criticism from some of the
objectors to the scheme, who said London-based Wind Power should have
allowed the council to gather all necessary responses.
Tricia Kennedy, co-owner of nearby Newhall Estate, said: “Wind Prospect
moved awfully fast in taking this proposal above the council’s head, and I
think it’s shameful the way they’ve been treated.”
Analysts have said the windfarm would deliver a £6 million boost for the
local economy and produce electricity for more than 11,000 homes. It also
has the backing of ‘Big Six’ supplier EDF Energy and would create 16
permanent jobs.
Sir Robert, who was last year named the Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian, said
the council had been given every chance to rule on the proposal.
He said: “We had hoped the council would have determined the application
months and months ago, but they didn’t do so – which is why we appealed to
the Scottish Government.”
A spokeswoman for the DPEA said its reporter would visit the site after
speaking to the council.
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