Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Planning and Regulatory Services

The Head of Planning and Regulatory Services spoke to the terms of the report and advised that the application was for the erection of ten wind turbines at a height of 111.25m blade to tip, permanent anemometer, electric substation and ancillary development at Cour Wind Farm, by Carradale.  He advised that there had been a total of 21 representations received 2 in support and 19 against the development and gave a summary of the issues raised.  He advised that the application was consistent with Local Plan Policy, had economic sustainability, was the correct scale, on a suitable site and was recommended for approval subject to conditions and reasons; and a Section 75 agreement.  He referred to Supplementary Report 3 that had been tabled to Members and advised that this late report was due to dialogue with the applicant, SNH and RSPB regarding the conditions attached to the recommendation for approval.  He advised that amendments had been made to the conditions previously circulated and gave a summary of those amendments.

Decision

Agreed to grant planning permission subject to –

1.      The prior conclusion of a legal agreement under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997  to secure nature conservation interests, a programme of small-scale environmental improvements on the Cour Estate and to cover the decommissioning costs of the windfarm;

2.      The conditions and reasons as set out in Supplementary Report 3 by the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Planning and Regulatory Services dated 1 August 2012, submitted; supplementary report 1 dated 10 October 2012, submitted; supplementary report 2 dated 16 October 2012, submitted and supplementary report 3 dated 17 October 2012, tabled)