Banff MSP suggests re-think on wind turbine regulations, Banffshire Journal, 06 Mar 12

By Graham Crawford

The lax planning guidelines operated by Aberdeenshire Council regarding
wind turbines has been called into question by Stewart Stevenson MSP.

The local authority has been flooded with applications for industrial-sized
structures because it allows them to be built within 400 metres of the
nearest properties, whereas most councils stipulate 2,000 metres.

Already more than 450 turbines have been erected in Aberdeenshire in recent
years, and there are applications pending for a similar number.

It makes the area the wind capital of the UK, and there is increasing
public anger over loss of amenity and the effect the structures are having
on the rural landscape.

Now Banff and Buchan SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson – a strong advocate of wind
power – has written to Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Colin
Mackenzie stating: “I believe it is now time to consider whether the policy
set by other councils, where it is 2km, is appropriate for use by
Aberdeenshire Council.”

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman told the Banffshire Journal: “The
Aberdeenshire Local Plan policy does not state a minimum distance between
turbines and dwellings, although it does highlight that this distance is
not expected to be below 400 metres.

“The actual distance will depend on the individual circumstances of the
application concerned, and will also take account of such matters as
possible shadow flicker, noise, visual intrusion and safety issues.

“Scottish Planning Policy does not outline minimum separation distances
between turbines and dwellings either. The reference to two kilometres
within Scottish Planning Policy relates to areas of search for wind farms
over 20MW.

“Each application is treated on its own merits and is guided by the
policies of the development plan. The current policy was reviewed as part
of the preparation of the proposed Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan and
is being considered by Reporters appointed by Scottish Ministers.”

Mr Stevenson’s letter followed a meeting with a Cornhill constituent
opposed to wind turbines.

The constituent, who did not want named, said this week: “There is growing
public disquiet about turbines as people find them suddenly sprouting up
next to them.

More people are also finding out that turbines are not all they are
cracked up to be.”

She also claimed councillors are not listening to their constituents.

She added: “The whole planning process is already weighted toward the
proponent, such as the unfair way that proponents can re-apply for their
proposal time and again when the objectors have no third right of appeal as
they do in Ireland.

“More often than not, our councillors overrule the planning department when
an application has been recommended for refusal. That happened with the
Muirake and Strath of Brydock turbines when the Banff and Buchan
councillors voted unanimously to overrule the planners. Buchan councillors
have already approved three schemes near Longside against the Ministry of
Defence’s advice.

“Who are our councillors looking after?

“We also want Aberdeenshire Council to lower the height of what is
considered a ‘domestic’ turbine because different requirements apply to
them. In Aberdeenshire it is set at under 50 metres, in Moray it is less
than 40 metres.”

Last week, around 20 campaigners fighting to halt the march of wind
turbines who protested outside Aberdeenshire Council’s seminar for
councillors which allowed a member of the renewables industry to speak to
them for 10 minutes but denied wind opponents a voice. Nick Orpwood,
spokesman for Cuminestown-based group Concerned About Wind Turbines, said
the seminar was not designed to give councillors the full picture. “There
was nobody to put forward the negative points regarding wind turbines, or
to raise concerns about the entire planning process in Aberdeenshire,” he said.

• Banff and Buchan area committee will today (Tuesday) discuss planning
applicaions for three adjacent 80-metre high turbines at Backhill of
Culbirnie, Hill of Culbirnie and Little Blairshinnoch at Hilton near Banff.

Planning officials are recommending refusal of all three applications on
the grounds they would have an adverse impact on the visual and residential
amenity of nearby residential properties; they would have a detrimental
impact on landscape character, composition and quality of the area; and the
cumulative impact of the development would be unacceptable; and they would
have an adverse impact on the setting and integrity of category A-listed
Inchdrewer Castle and Duff House and category B-listed Mains of Badavie
buildings.