Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth
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Minutes:
The Major Applications Team Leader spoke to the terms of the report. Before proceeding with her presentation, she referred to an error at section J of Appendix A of the report which stated that the Argyll Raptor Study Group had not responded to information sent to them. She explained that it was thought this information was sent to the Group at the same time as to NatureScot and the RSPB. On further investigation it was established that the information was not sent to the Group as they were not a statutory consultee. Officers have apologised to the Group for this error and oversight.
The site is situated over 1km to the northeast of the village of Strachur, with the proposed wind turbines located approximately 3km from the village. The wind farm would be located on the slopes of Creag Dhub, 484m AOD at its summit, and partially below Creag an t-Suidheachain, across an area of commercial forestry and open moorland. In terms of the SPP’s requirement for spatial frameworks for onshore wind energy proposals and the Spatial Framework for Argyll & Bute as set out in SG2 (December 2016) the site is located within a Group 2 area (Areas of significant protection) due to the mapped presence of Class 2 nationally important carbon rich soils, potentially of high conservation value and restoration potential. Objections have been received from NatureScot and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park on the grounds that it would have an adverse effect on the special qualities and that the objectives of the designation and the overall integrity of the area would be compromised. NatureScot considers that these effects cannot be mitigated. The RSPB have objected on the grounds of insufficient Golden Eagle data. Sixteen letters of representation have also been received comprising 14 objections and 2 letters of support.
The proposal is considered contrary to National and Local Policy and Guidance. It is also considered that the proposal will have significant adverse landscape and visual impacts and it is recommended that planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report of handling.
Decision
The Committee agreed to refuse planning permission for the following reasons:
1.
Loch
Lomond & the Trossachs National Park (LLTNP)
The location and scale of the proposal represents a step change in the
proximity, prominence and visual intrusion of wind farms on this western part
of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park giving rise to significant
effects on some of the National Parks Special Landscape Qualities. The scale and location of the proposal will
result in a significant adverse effect on four Special Landscape Qualities of
the National Park – Arrochar’s Mountainous and
Distinctive Peaks; A Remote Area of High Hills and Deep Glens; Tranquility; and The Easily Accessible Landscape
Splendour. Significant effects will
result in relation to two sets of qualities:
·
Specific
effects on the Argyll Forest area and in particular to the views west from the
distinctive hilltops, ridges and glens closest to the proposed turbines and the
general experience of remoteness, isolation and stillness experienced in these
locations.
·
General
qualities of tranquillity and landscape splendour applicable to the LLTNP as a
whole, but which are also well expressed in the study area on its western edge.
Consequently, the proposal would result in a significant adverse effect on some of the
Special Landscape Qualities of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and
the objectives of the designation and the overall integrity of the area
would be compromised.
Taking
into account that NatureScot and the National Park
Authority have both objected to this proposal and having due regard to the above it is
considered that the proposal is contrary to the provisions of SG LDP ENV 14 –
Landscape; Supplementary Guidance 2: Renewable Energy; LDP STRAT 1 – Sustainable Development; LDP
DM1 – Development within the Development Management Zone; LDP 3 – Supporting
the Protection, Conservation and Enhancement of our Environment; and LDP 6 -
Supporting the Sustainable Growth of Renewables of the Argyll & Bute Local
Development Plan; SPP; The future of energy in Scotland:
Scottish Energy Strategy (December 2017); Onshore Wind Policy Statement; SNH Siting and Designing Wind Farms in
the Landscape Guidance, (August 2017); and ‘Argyll & Bute Landscape Wind Energy Capacity Study’
SNH and ABC (2017);
2.
Landscape
Effects
The proposal would have significant adverse effects on
part of the Steep Ridges and Mountains Landscape Character Type principally
extending up to 4km from the development site.
The proposal would introduce new large-scale infrastructure to this unit
of the Landscape Character Type and would detract from the sharp ridges and
open tops which are key characteristics of the Landscape Character Type. The proposed turbines would dominate the
narrow extent and intimate scale of Succoth Glen.
The Rocky Coastland Landscape Character Type comprises a narrow intermittent coastal fringe on both the north-west and south-east coasts of Loch Fyne. This a small-scale, settled landscape which is highly sensitive to large wind turbines. The proposal would not be located in the Landscape Character Type but would lie in close proximity to unit LCT53 (1) and within approximately 6km from unit LCT53 (2) which covers the Inveraray area. Argyll & Bute Council consider that there would be significant adverse effects on LCT53 (1) in the Strachur area. These effects would principally relate to the effects of the introduction of new large-scale infrastructural features which would dominate the scale of settlement and detract from the setting of this small part of the Rocky Coastland LCT.
Having due regard to the above it is considered that the proposal is contrary to the provisions of SG LDP ENV 14 – Landscape; Supplementary Guidance 2: Renewable Energy; LDP STRAT 1 – Sustainable Development; LDP DM1 – Development within the Development Management Zone; LDP 3 – Supporting the Protection, Conservation and Enhancement of our Environment; and LDP 6 - Supporting the Sustainable Growth of Renewables of the Argyll & Bute Local Development Plan; SPP; The future of energy in Scotland: Scottish Energy Strategy (December 2017); ... view the full minutes text for item 6
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