Wind farm plans back on the table
Developers appeal planning decision
ABO Wind UK, the company behind proposals for the 11turbine Green Burn wind farm north of Bridge of Cally, has submitted an appeal against Perth and Kinross Council’s refusal to grant planning permission.
The local authority’s planning committee rejected a revised application for the development 11km north west of Alyth in March this year.
Announcing the decision to submit an appeal, Clark Crosbie, head of development at ABO Wind UK, said: “We were extremely disappointed by the decision of the council’s planning committee.
“We have reviewed the decision in detail and we remain of the view that our proposal complies with all relevant technical and planning requirements.”
The appeal has been submitted to the Scottish Government’s directorate of planning and environmental appeals (DPEA) and an independent reporter will be appointed to determine the outcome.
The application centred on 11 turbines earmarked for Green Burn wind farm, situated on
land 1.2km west of the existing Drumderg Wind Farm, which sits 5km northeast of Bridge of Cally.
Applicant ABO Wind UK’s submission was recommended for refusal by council planners due to “cumulative landscape impacts on residential, recreational and tourist receptors”.
Councillors voted eight to four to reject the development.
Mr Crosbie added: “We believe strongly that Green Burn wind farm is an appropriately designed wind farm, located within an area the council has formally identified as having capacity for a wind farm actually larger than our Green Burn proposals.
“We were especially disappointed with the planner’s recommendation to refuse on landscape and visual impact grounds, when neither SNH, the Scottish Government’s landscape advisor, nor the council’s own independent landscape advisor, recommended an objection.”
Local residents are unhappy that the council’s decision is being appealed.
Alison Petrie commented: “We are very disappointed that ABO Wind has decided to appeal against Perth and Kinross Council’s decision in March. We have until July 3 to respond to this appeal.
“It is a very short timeframe at a very busy time of year for the community.
“We had over 150 residents and groups objecting. It is vital that those with concerns about the development reiterate those concerns.”
Conservative councillor for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward, Caroline Shiers, also expressed her disappointment at the news.
She said: “I am disappointed that there is to be an appeal regarding the Greenburn Wind Farm and trust that the Scottish Government reporter will take on board the views of those who made representation against the original application.
“The argument against the application on the grounds of cumulative impact was a very convincing one when the decision was made by the council’s development management committee, and led to the decision to refuse.
“I am concerned too that, yet again, a committee made up of locallyelected representatives of communities in Perth and Kinross may now have their decision over-turned by the Scottish Government reporter.
“I support the principle of decision-making on applications which will have a huge effect on a community being made at a local level so that local accountability can be maintained.”
And SNP councillor for the ward Tom McEwan commented: “Although I am aware of concerns regarding wind turbines, if the appeal decision is to approve this development, then local groups throughout the ward could have access to funds which would benefit their growth and the local community as a whole.”