Ally McRoberts
A controversial plan to build 11 wind turbines in Blairadam Forest has been
refused by Fife Council.
The application from London-based Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) was met
with 640 objections.
Knockhill Racing Circuit, Kelty Community Council, the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (SEPA) and NATS air traffic control services were all
against the proposal for the so-called ‘Beasts of Blairadam’.
PfR, in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, said the 115-metres
high turbines would generate enough energy to power nearly 13,000 homes a
year. They said it would also provide jobs and a £2.8million fund to spend
on community projects and good causes.
But councillors at last week’s west planning committee refused the application.
Knockhill said the rotors would be a “huge distraction to the users of
their race track” and NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic
control services, said it would have an “unacceptable impact on their
aviation safeguarding infrastructure”.
SEPA objected due to the impact on peatlands. Other concerns included the
size and scale of the wind farm, loss of forestry, the detrimental effect
on wildlife and the adverse impact on tourism and recreational uses, such
as cycling.
Objectors said the turbines would dominate views from as far away as
Dunfermline and the Forth bridges, could distract motorists on the M90
motorway, would bring noise and shadow flicker and disturb the peace and
quiet of the countryside location.
Council officers said the turbines would “significantly alter” the
landscape character of the Cleish Hills and the backdrop to Dunfermline,
would adversely impact on local residents and had the potential to affect
telecommunications signals.
Their report to the committee said the peat removal was “unacceptable” and
the proposal would likely lead to “significant environmental harm”.
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