Wind farm developer’s charitable trust plans unveiled
charitable trust, Clark Crosbie, head of development for ABO Wind UK, said: “Through our detailed discussions with local stakeholders, particular issues were raised about support for small, start-up and micro businesses in the local area and also issues around developing and retaining young skills and talent in the area.
“This led to the proposal to ring fence 20% of the fund to tackle these important challenges, which received widespread support from across the community councils.”
Morag Young, chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, commented: “ABO’s decision to give 20% of the fund to a group who will see it used to empower and assist local children to take their next step after leaving the High School is to be commended.
“Both the Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council and the Alyth Community Council supported the decision and we look forward to seeing the lives of our children being positively impacted by the support this fund will provide, should the development get the go-ahead.”
Growbiz co-ordinator Jackie Brierton added: “Small and micro-businesses are the backbone of our local economy, but they need support to develop and grow. GrowBiz is delighted to be partnering with Blairgowrie High School and UHI in this new initiative and, pending project approval, to be in a position to support young people and local enterprises with new opportunities and creative collaborations.”
And local MP Pete Wishart commented: “Scotland is a world leader in setting, meeting and surpassing climate change targets and the growth of the renewable energy sector has been a large part of achieving that.
“I am pleased that the turbines proposed for Green Burn wind farm - as well as playing a part in that global impact - would have tangible local benefits with the local community set to receive significant levels of investment in the years ahead.”
Meanwhile, a decision on how the bulk of the community benefit fund is to be divided up between the three community council areas has yet to be made.
Mr Crosbie said: “Since 2015, we have held discussions with each of the three respective community councils regarding an appropriate split of this 80%. Whilst, to date, no agreement has been reached between the three community councils, they recently asked for further time to reach a mutually acceptable position.
“ABO Wind will therefore now pause these discussions until after the Green Burn Wind Farm planning application is determined in 2017.
“Should consent for the project be granted by Perth and Kinross Council, we would then re-open discussions with the three communities at that stage, to reach a final agreement on the division of the 80% that is acceptable to all parties.”
ABO Wind UK submitted a new design for the 11 turbine scheme to PKC in September this year which featured a reduction in blade tip height from 126.5m to 115m, reduced hub heights from 80m to 69m and revised turbine locations. The local authority is currently carrying out a full consultation on the revised design.
The development site is located on the lands of Shieldrum and Blackhall Farms, approximately 11km north-west of Alyth and 5km north-east of Bridge of Cally.