Work at a Waterside windfarm was forced to stop after an enforcement notice was issued on Wednesday
East Ayrshire Council issued a stop and enforcement notice to Community
Windpower in relation to works at Sneddon Law Windfarm.
It was discovered that work so far undertaken have not complied with
planning approval conditions – in particular condition 36 and the effect of
work on a private water supply.
The notice saw an immediate halt to all work associated with the windfarm
development until the planning terms are complied with.
In July, Michael Keane, East Ayrshire Council’s head of planning and
economic development, told the Standard there had been “complaints alleging
unauthorised works” at Sneddon Law windfarm site.
He added: “Complaints of this nature are taken very seriously and we are
currently investigating the matter to determine if enforcement action is
appropriate.”
Plans for the site were approved on October 2014 and will see a windfarm
comprising of 15 turbines.
Community Windpower are required to submit documentary evidence to the
planning authority prior to beginning any formal work on the windfarm. In
addition, private water supplies should be provided to properties at risk
of pollution from construction work.
This week a council spokesman said: “We have served stop and enforcement
which is specifically in relation to intrusive ground investigation works
being undertaken by a contractor on behalf of Community Windpower, the
developer of the windfarm site.
“We have taken this action because we do not consider Community Windpower
to have demonstrated that certain relevant planning conditions for the site
have been fulfilled.
“The effect of these notices is that all works going forward, including
further intrusive ground investigation works, are to be discontinued on
site until such times as the terms of the enforcement notice are complied
with.”
Officers from the council met with representatives of Community Windpower
to discuss matters and explore possible solutions to the current position
at the early part of the week.
In response to an enquiry from the Standard, David McDowall from the
council, said: “We are aware that one resident has experienced difficulty
with an existing water supply.
“However, at this point, it is unclear whether this was attributable to any
works subject to the enforcement notice.
“With regard to the other private water supplies in the area, we are
currently engaging with the developer to mitigate any potential risks posed
by the development.”
0 Comments