Turbine plan approved after successful appeal
Aviva has been given permission to erect a 77-metre high wind turbine at its Pitheavlis base in Perth.
Councillors have overturned the original decision made by planning officers back in January to block the application for the turbine and its ancillary equipment.
It is expected the turbine will generate over half of the Perth site’s electricity, where around 1100 people work.
Aviva’s planning appeal, launched by Purple Renewables, said the installation of the turbine would make the Perth base “an exemplar site for the Aviva group worldwide”.
Aviva is working towards making the entire Perth site supplied by on-site renewable generation.
The planning application received five objections and seven letters of support.
Councillors at Tuesday’s local review body said it was a very contentious issue, but voted by two votes to one to approve the appeal.
Convener Lib Dem councillor Lewis Simpson, who is also the council’s sustainable travel ambassador, said the “environment issues are to be commended” but felt it was simply in the wrong site.
He upheld planning officers’ views that it would be too prominent next to what is now a listed building.
The former General Accident Building, which was built between 1979 and 1983, was given the grade A listing two years ago to recognise its “special architectural importance”. The iconic building is built into the surrounding hillside landscape with rooftop gardens.
Planning officers in their refusal said it would have a “significant detrimental effect on that setting”.
Historic Environment Scotland objected saying it would have a “significant adverse effect.”
Scottish Natural Heritage said there was “likely to be significant landscape and visual effects on the residents and visitors to Perth from within the city, its surroundings and from the major tourist routes running past the city.” The building is adjacent to the M90. SNP councillor Tom Gray, who can see nine different wind turbine sites from his Perthshire home, challenged the council’s decision. He argued it would be a “positive statement for Perth.”
Cllr Gray said: “The clock is ticking towards an unstoppable climatic change affecting the sustainability of all aspects of land-based life.
“With this in mind, the impact on landscape character and visual integrity can be viewed as a bold statement of intent toward a positive outcome and would then be pleasing rather than sore on the eye.”
He argued the turbine would make the building even more inconspicuous and said public comments suggest more welcome the
The Aviva building in Perth, where the turbine will go proposal than don’t. very pleased with the decision by Perth and
Depute provost, Lib Dem councillor Willie Kinross Council. As a significant business in Wilson, agreed: “It’s a challenging application Perth we take climate change very seriously with both principles and practicalities. and we want to do all we can to try to reduce
“The place where this will be most global greenhouse gas emissions. prominently seen is from the motorway and “The wind turbine will generate over 50 per Transport Scotland has raised no objections.” cent of our annual electricity use, going a long
He also reflected on the fact they were way to make our Perth site fully powered by making this decision in what was the former renewable energy generated on-site.” Aviva building where the council now meets. The decision will now be referred to
A spokesperson for Aviva said: “Aviva is Scottish ministers.