Site visit to determine turbine plan
A government employee reviewing a decision to grant Aviva permission to erect a 77-metre high wind turbine at Pitheavlis in Perth wants to inspect the site before making a decision.
Councillors agreed to grant the company planning permission for the turbine last year despite Historic Environment Scotland objecting to the proposal.
The group claims the structure will impact on the setting of the A-listed building.
The body warned officials: “The size and location of the wind turbine would, in our view, potentially lead to it becoming the dominating element in the overall composition [of the site] and redefine its focus. Given the significance of the Aviva building, we do not consider that to be acceptable.”
The Scottish Government called in the application for reassessment last month and has now advised all interested parties, a reporter working for its Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) wants to visit the city on March 10 to take a look around.
Case officer Jane Robertson said in a letter to all interested parties: “Please note that the purpose of this visit is to allow the reporter to become familiar with all the physical aspects of the site and the surrounding area.
“Although you can point out to the reporter the features of the site that relate to the [review] ... the reporter is unable to enter into any detailed discussion about the case. You should also note that this notification does not give any right to enter property or land without first obtaining the permission of the owner.
“It is likely that after carrying out the site inspection, the reporter will have enough information to make their decision and it will be issued in due course.
“If, however, the reporter considers additional information or a further procedure is required, I will write and let you know.”
Aviva bosses previously told the PA they were “disappointed” their application for the turbine was being reassessed by the government.
The DPEA is currently predicting its reporter will have redetermined the company’s application by May 4.