Scotland rejects three onshore windfarms

SCOTLAND - Plans to construct three onshore windfarms in Scotland have been rejected by local authorities.

A 31-turbine windfarm planned by Eurus Energy UK Limited part of Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation, at Glenkirk on the hills overlooking Dava Moor, and the 17-turbine Tom Nan Clach windfarm, which was proposed for the Cawdor Estate by renewables firm Infinergy, were refused planning permission by the Highland Council. The windfarms would have had a combined generating capacity of 132 megawatts MW.

Renewable Energy Systems Limited RES has lodged an appeal against Aberdeenshire Council, which refused full planning permission for a proposed 10-MW windfarm at Mekle Carewe, near Stonehaven. RES has lodged the appeal with the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, claiming it had ample evidence that the windfarm would pose no environmental or social problems.

In its decision to refuse planning for the 93-MW Glenkirk windfarm, the Highland Council said: "Following a site visit to both locations, the Committee agreed unanimously to raise an objection to an application by Eurus Energy UK Limited to erect 31 turbines at Glenkirk on the Balnespick Estate and Forestry Commission land to the northeast of Tomatin and defer taking a decision on the planning application for a proposed access track until a decision has been made by Scottish Ministers in respect of the proposed windfarm. [The committee also agreed] to refuse planning permission for an application by Nan Clach Limited, a consortium between the landowner, Cawdor Estates and Infinergy, to erect 17 turbines on the Estate."

The council claimed that both projects would impact the landscape and contradicted the Highland Structure Plan. The fate of the larger Glenkirk windfarm now lies with the Scottish government. Infinergy's managing director, Charles Sandham, said the company will appeal the decision of the Highland Council over the Tom nan Clach windfarm.

This is the second blow for Infinergy this month, as the company's plans for a windfarm on Strone Saul Hill, near Dunoon, were rejected by Argyll and Bute Council. The council refused permission for the windfarm, despite Infinergy's offering to donate the income from one turbine to the community — a total of £1.6 million US$2.5 million over approximately 25 years.

"The site is a very good location for a windfarm, with suitable average wind speeds, good grid-connection opportunities and is compliant with relevant planning policies of Argyll and Bute Council," said Sandham. "This was the perfect opportunity for councillors to make a difference and help combat climate change, an opportunity that has, for the moment, been lost."