Standingfauld windfarm draws large support

Feb 5 2010 by Katy Gordon, Strathearn Herald

PLANS for a windfarm between Muthill and Auchterarder have been given the thumbs up by Strathearn residents.

The Perth and Kinross Council planning website shows that although there are around 40 letters of objection to West Coast Energy’s Standingfauld windfarm proposal, over 140 letters of support have been received.

Among the reasons given by people in support of the application was the money it would bring into the local economy, that it would provide clean energy and that some respondents felt they looked good.

One letter, from a man who has lived near to the development site, states: “It is about time that the Perth and Kinross councillors realised that there is only a small, but very vocal, number of people against windfarm development and that most of their voters are not against such developments, although they are not sufficiently motivated to conduct a campaign in their favour.”

Matthew Hayes from West Coast Energy said: “West Coast Energy successfully engaged the local communities by undertaking various pre-application events including a well attended public exhibition and series of Community Council presentations.

“These events ensured that the communities were fully informed of the proposed development.

“Naturally, following the formal planning application submission, the company is delighted to now see that there is widespread local support being expressed.

“Community support adds emphasis to the company’s long held view that this is an appropriate site for a wind farm of the scale proposed. Standingfauld Wind Farm will make a valuable contribution towards Scotland’s renewable energy targets, and it is important that both the council planning officers and elected members recognise the benefits of the scheme, and the views of the community”.

However, the Standingfauld Environment Action Group (SEAG) has questioned the support letters, many of which were proforma letter with details filled in.

A representative from SEAG told the Herald: “We would completely challenge the legitimacy of one line letters of objection signed by people outside a shop.

“They are of no substance and carry no weight and we understand that some signatures were from visitors and school children without any detailed knowledge of the specific issues of why Standingfauld is an unsuitable location for a windfarm.”

One of the objections is a letter from Ochil Developments, the group behind the G-West project.

While their objection notes the Scottish Government’s bid to reach renewable energy targets, Ochil Developments feel that the visual impact will have an effect on their resort.

The objection letter reads: “The proposed wind turbine development at Standingfaulds Farm is within 2km of the G-West site and the expected felling of commercial forestry between the proposed development site and G-West will result in many parts of G-West being visually exposed to the wind turbines. This particularly applies to the upper floors of the proposed ultra-luxury hotel, the golf clubhouse, a number of the proposed housing plots and many parts of the golf course.”

* The date for submitting comments on the planning application has been extended to Tuesday, February 16, after which it will be put on the table for discussion by Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee.