Agenda item

Report by Head of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of the report which detailed a recommended response to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents and Deployment Unit Section 36 consultation regarding the proposed Tangy 4 wind farm at Kilkenzie.  In Scotland, any application to construct or operate an onshore power generating station, in this case, a wind farm, with an installed capacity of over 50 megawatts requires the consent of Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.  Any ministerial authorisation given would include a ‘deemed planning permission’ and in these circumstances there is then no requirement for a planning application to be made to the Council as Planning Authority.  The Council’s role in this process is one of a consultee along with other consultation bodies.  This report reviews the policy considerations which are applicable to this proposal and the planning merits of the development, the views of bodies consulted by the Scottish Government along with other consultations.  It is recommended, in this case, that the Council does not object to this proposal subject to consideration of the recommended conditions and mitigation detailed at Section B of the report of handling.  At the request of the Committee the Head of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services was authorised to amend and strengthen the wording of the first recommended condition to expand on the reasons why the lifespan of the wind farm should be time limited.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed not to object to this Section 36 Application, and that the Energy Consents Unit consider the following conditions and mitigation:

 

Conditions

 

·         In recognition of the expected lifespan of the wind farm, it is considered that the permission should be time-limited to a period reflective of the lifespan of the turbine technology intended to be used from the date when electricity is first exported to the electricity grid network (Scotways).  In addition, the landscape is a changing landscape which may be different in 25 years.  This is why Argyll and Bute Council consider that it is important that this is a time limited consent and not given in perpetuity;

·         Condition to ensure that the Replanting Figure is corrected to reflect the known locations of the badger setts within the site (Badger Protection Plan – as recommended by SNH);

·         Conditions to ensure that all ecological mitigation measures detailed in the EIA Report are incorporated into any approval (as recommended by SNH);

·         Condition to secure a more detailed Habitat Management Plan (HMP) (as recommended by SNH);

·         Conditions relating to Tangy Loch SSSI to deliver appropriate mitigation to protect Tangy Loch SSSI from water quality impacts (as recommended by SNH);

·         Condition to secure a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP);

·         Condition to prevent disturbance to Greenland white-fronted goose (GWFG) (as recommended by RSPB);

·         Condition to ensure compensatory planting plan is included with any consent (as recommended by Forestry Commission Scotland);

·         Condition to secure an independent tourism impact assessment (in accordance with the advice of Visit Scotland);

·         Conditions as recommended by the Council’s Environment Protection Officer to ensure: control of noise emissions; a report to demonstrate compliance with noise limits; assessment by independent consultant upon request of EHO; logging of wind speed, wind direction and power generation data; working methods and operating times for decommissioning of existing wind farm; point of contact for local residents; method statement detailing all mitigation measures to secure the quality, quantity and continuity of private water supplies; and details of external lighting.

·         Condition to control potential Shadow Flicker impact to ensure that the relevant turbines are programmed to shut down at appropriate times to avoid any adverse impact on neighbouring properties.

·         Conditions as required by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) to secure appropriate aviation lighting;

·         Conditions as required by Transport Scotland and the Council’s Area Roads Engineer;

·         Condition to secure the decommissioning of Tangy 1 & 2 to an acceptable standard, including ancillary infrastructure and site restoration;

·         Condition to secure the decommissioning of Tangy 4 to an acceptable standard, including ancillary infrastructure and site restoration.

 

Mitigation

 

·         Consideration should be given by the ECU to the mitigation measures suggested by SNH and the Council’s Landscape Consultant to lessen the impact of the proposal on the raised beach (as evidenced by VP 1);

·         Consideration should be given by the ECU to the relocation of the turbine nearest to Tangy Loch (Turbine 5) to reduce the adverse impact upon Tangy Loch, Fortified Dwelling.  For the same reason, consideration should also be given to the relocation of borrow pit search areas depicted adjacent to Turbines 4 and 5 as recommended by Historic Environment Scotland.

 

Other

 

·         Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) object on the basis that a lack of information has been provided in regard to compliance with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) in regard to species diversity, peat depth and restocking, forest landscape design and nutrient enrichment. It is noted at time of writing that SSE has provided further information, however that FCS have not withdrawn their objection.  It is recommended that this matter is addressed, prior to the Energy Consents Unit reaching a conclusion on the proposal, and any further conditions recommended by FCS are applied.

·         SNH also provide advice in relation to the Kintyre Goose Roosts SPA which, in their view, would not be adversely affected by the proposal.  Due to the status of the site the Energy Consents Unit will be required to undertake an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitat Regulations. 

·         In light of the requirements of both National and Local Policy on wind farm development proposals it is considered by the Council that Energy Storage for this site should be explored further by the Energy Consents Unit prior to the application being determined.

·         That the Council would expect to be consulted on any final list of conditions prior to permission being granted, should Scottish Ministers be minded to do so.

·         The Council would also expect to be consulted on any further mitigation, changes to the layout or turbine height.

 

Having moved an Amendment which failed to find a seconder, Councillor Alastair Redman asked for his dissent from the foregoing decision to be recorded.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services dated 7 June 2019, submitted)