Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Major Applications Team Leader spoke to the terms of the report.  The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) seeks to notify the planning authority of a prospective Major planning application for Glasvaar Wind Farm.  The site is primarily located within the very sensitive countryside zone, and partially within the countryside zone and rural opportunity zones as identified by the adopted Local Development Plan.  A spatial framework for wind farms and wind turbines developments over 50 metres high in line with Scottish Planning Policy has been prepared as Supplementary Guidance (SG).  This identifies: Areas where wind farms will not be acceptable (Group 1); Areas of significant protection (Group 2); and Areas which may have potential for wind farm development (Group 3).  The site is located on ground containing both Group 32 and Group 3 Areas.  The area of the site classed Group 2 is designated due to its nationally important mapped environmental interests for carbon rich soils, deep peat and priority peatland habitat; Site of Scientific Interest; and the fact that it lies within 2km of a Settlement Zone Buffer.

The report sets out the information submitted to date as part of the PAN and summarises the policy considerations, against which any future planning application will be considered as well as any material considerations.

It is recommended that Members have regard to the content of the report and submissions and provide such feedback as they consider appropriate in respect of the PAN to allow any matters to be considered by the Applicant in finalising any future planning application submission.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report and submissions.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 7 October 2021, submitted)