Retired Councillor Mike Barnacle and I have put together a survey regarding renewable energy production in the local area. We wish to better understand the local communities feeling towards current and future developments.
BACKGROUND TO CURRENT WINDFARMS - provided by Mike
"In June 2004 PKC’s Wind Energy Policy referred to a Landscape Capacity Study by Clackmannan Council (CC),
SNH and themselves concluding that only 1 windfarm should be permitted in the Ochils, west of the M90, with smaller turbines to avoid dwarfing the hills; so in May 2005, this area was mapped as ‘sensitive’ for windfarm developments.
In May 2006 a conjoined public inquiry began into 6 planning appeals for proposed windfarms in the Ochils, which concluded in August 2007. During this period, the Greenknowes windfarm (18 turbines) was allowed by a Government Reporter and CC narrowly approved the Burnfoot Hill/Rhodders complex (now 24 turbines).
At this time, PKC had refused all windfarm proposals for the Ochils as against their policy.
Since 2012, we now have 3 large windfarms in the Ochils, after the Lochelbank (12 turbines) proposal was allowed on appeal by a Reporter."
LANDSCAPE DESIGNATION & CURRENT PKC & SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT POLICIES - provided by Mike
"SNH (now Nature Scotland) locational guidance of November 2000 recognised the ‘short-term’ nature of onshore technology, stating that in the longer term off-shore wind (more reliable), tidal and water power generation has less overall impact on the environment. It recognised the valuable role of landscape designations (AGLV’s since replaced by LLA’s, SSSI’s like Loch Leven and Wild Land areas) in protecting local natural heritage, habitat and species."
"The Ochil Hills within PKC have a Local Landscape Area (LLA) designation where proposals for turbines that may have an adverse impact on the special qualities of this sensitive environment, particularly cumulative, should be avoided. National Planning Framework (NPF4) was adopted by the Scottish Government in February 2023 and is almost silent on landscape, containing no standalone policy, but providing strong support for renewable energy projects. The aspiration for the Ochils to be a Regional Park has been unanimously endorsed by Kinross-shire Community Councils (CC’s) , in January 2022 at the first historic meeting of the Kinross Area Committee."
PROPOSED WINDFARMS - provided by Mike
"There are 3, Brunt Hill (18 turbines) and Craighead (8 turbines), relatively close together in Kinross-shire, with Windburn (15 turbines) on the CC/PKC border. These turbines have a maximum height of 200 metres, with
Brunt Hill and Windburn before the Energy Consent Unit at the Scottish Government (PKC a statutory consultee) and Craighead (on the site of the previously refused Mellock Hill proposal after a public inquiry and Fossoway CC objection) now set to be decided by PKC."
Both Mike and I are generally in favour of renewable energy projects, particularly if locally promoted and not detrimental to the environment, in order to meet net zero targets; but we would like to hear your view in the survey below: