Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

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