Plans for a major new wind farm above Loch Fyne will be discussed next
week, though councillors will be warned not to say if they’re in favour.
It is estimated that the Creag Dhubh project above Strachur could produce
generate 27MW – enough power for over 16,000 households.
An exhibition of the proposals for local residents was first held in
October 2017 and initially a planning application was expected by the
following autumn.
But next week Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and
licensing committee will consider a proposal of application notice, which
may be followed y the planning application itself.
The councillors will be told by officials that they must not express any
opinion on whether a subsequent planning application would be approved.
A report adds: “Any opinions or views expressed by councillors at the
pre-application stage must be made mindful of the overarching requirements
of fairness and impartiality and of keeping an open mind.
“The process provides opportunity for officers to give feedback to the
prospective applicant on issues which members would wish to see addressed
within the planning application submission.”
Very little information about the plan is included in the report to
councillors, but the developers’ scoping report, available on their
website, says there will be nine turbines, each with a tip height of 139
metres.
The wind farm would be located on the slopes of Creag Dhubh,in an area of
forestry and open moorland about seven miles south of the Clachan Flats
wind farm.
It is less than a mile away from the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National
Park and the turbines would be visible from Inveraray but not from
Ardkinglas at the head of Loch Fyne.
The scoping report adds: “If planning permission is granted a substantial
community benefits package would be set up to provide an annual fund
available to the local community.
“Creag Dhubh Renewables LLP would like to provide a community benefit model
where specific localised needs are targeted.
“We would like to ensure that the community plays a significant role in the
distribution of any funds.
“Suggestions on the most suitable structure for a community benefit fund
are welcomed, as well as the preferred uses for the fund. “
It adds that an Environmental Impact Assessment would mean that
environmentally sensitive areas would be avoided.
One of the proposed wind turbines is the council’s North Argyll Area of
Panoramic Quality and the other wind turbines are very near to the border
of this designated area
The West Loch Fyne (Coast) and East Loch Fyne (Coast) Areas of Panoramic
Quality are both within four miles of the site and would have ‘partial
theoretical visibility’ of the development.
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