Agenda item

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of supplementary reports 3 and 4.  This proposal was originally presented to Committee on 28 September 2022.  The Committee agreed, on behalf of the Council, as Planning Authority, to object to this proposal for the reasons detailed in the report of handling.  The Energy Consents Unit was notified accordingly.  The Energy Consents Unit re-consulted the Planning Authority on 14 December 2022 due to the Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) being laid before Parliament.  As NPF4 was subsequently approved by Parliament, and adopted by Scottish Ministers on 13 February 2023, it was now part of the Development Plan.  As the Planning Authority’s consultation response of 28 September 2022 was provided prior to the NPF4 being laid, the Scottish Government would like to give the Planning Authority the opportunity to provide further comment on NPF4.   This report seeks Members’ agreement on Officers’ further consultation response to the Energy Consents Unit.

Having considered NPF4 it was recommended that the Council as Planning Authority, continues to object to this proposal for the revised reasons detailed in supplementary report number 3, with the inclusion of an additional note attached to these reasons as detailed in supplementary report number 4, and that the Scottish Government be notified accordingly.  Members should note that an objection from the Council will instigate the requirement for a Public Local Inquiry to be held.

Decision

Having considered NPF4, the Committee, on behalf of the Council as Planning Authority, agreed to continue to object to this proposal for the following reasons:

1.    Landscape & Visual Impact (including cumulative)

The proposed development site lies within the Knapdale Upland Forest Moor Mosaic Landscape Character Type (LCT) which covers much of the Knapdale area between West Loch Tarbert and the southern edge of the Knapdale National Scenic Area. This landscape has a simpler landform in the south-west but is complex and craggy in the north-east.  This proposal, which comprises very large turbines of up to 200m, would be sited in a basin which reduces its prominence and intrusion seen from Loch Fyne and from the settled eastern coastal fringes of this loch. The containment provided by landform is however diminished in views from the south around West Loch Tarbert where turbines would be visible in closer proximity and where their scale would be more appreciated due to greater visual exposure and because they would be seen in close conjunction with the smaller scale settled loch fringes. The proposal would significantly affect the character of West Loch Tarbert and views from the A83, the Islay ferry route, settlement, and recreation routes on the south-eastern shores of the loch. Proposed aviation lighting would increase the duration of these significant adverse effects. While it is acknowledged that the extent of these significant adverse landscape and visual effects is confined to the waters and south-eastern shores of West Loch Tarbert and the proposal is well screened and/or distant from other sensitive locations, there is concern about the effects on the tourist routes of the A83 and the Islay ferry which are regionally important within Argyll and Bute.

The potential cumulative effects of visible aviation lighting on character and views are also a concern given the number of recent applications for turbines >150m in Argyll & Bute requiring such lighting, including application stage: Narachan, Earraghail, Clachaig Glen and this proposal although we consider that these effects could be mitigated to an acceptable degree by the adoption of an Aviation Detection Lighting System which would significantly reduce the duration of visible night-time lighting.

The principal concern is, however, the cumulative landscape and visual effects likely to occur with the application-stage Sheirdrim wind farm. If the Sheirdrim proposal is consented on appeal, it is considered that the addition of the Rowan proposal would result in significant combined cumulative landscape and visual effects on the West Loch Tarbert area with a substantial increase in the extent of major adverse effects. It is considered that the nature of these significant effects on landscape and visual interests would be of regional importance, affecting not just the tourist routes of A83 and the Islay Ferry but also settlement and recreation routes including views to and from the nationally important scheduled monument of Dun Skeig.

In conclusion, it is considered that the cumulative landscape and visual impact of this proposal with Sheirdrim is unacceptable.

Having due regard to the above it is concluded that the proposal will have significant adverse cumulative landscape and visual impacts and is therefore inconsistent with the provisions of: SG LDP ENV 14 –Landscape; SG 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; Policy LDP 6 – Supporting the Sustainable Growth of Renewables; LDP 9 – Development Setting, Layout and Design; of the Argyll & Bute Local Development Plan; the Argyll & Bute Landscape Wind Energy Capacity Study 2017; the Onshore wind policy statement and Policies 4 (Natural Places) and 11 (Energy) of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

2.    Aviation

Argyll & Bute Council will assess development proposals with the aim of preventing unnecessary dangers to aircraft. Policy requires that development is refused where it would constrain the present and future operations of existing airports and airfields.

National Air Traffic Services Safeguarding (NATS) have advised that an unacceptable technical impact is anticipated, and they object. Glasgow Prestwick Airport advise that the development raises aviation safety concerns which have an operational impact on the airport as an air navigation services provider. Until all technical and operational aviation safety matters are addressed to the satisfaction of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and a mitigation agreement is put in place for the life of the wind farm, the airport also objects to the proposal.

Local Development Plan Policy is clear that developments that have an adverse impact on the Safeguarding of Airports should be refused.

Having due regard to the above it is concluded that due to the fact that National Air Traffic Services Safeguarding (NATS) and Glasgow Prestwick Airport have advised the Energy Consents Unit that they object to the proposal, it will have an adverse impact on aviation and is therefore inconsistent with the provisions of SG 2 Renewable Energy, Policy LDP 6 – Supporting the Sustainable Growth of Renewables and SG LDP TRAN 7 –Safeguarding of Airports of the Argyll & Bute Local Development Plan, the Onshore Wind Policy Statement and Policy 11 (Energy) of the National Planning Framework 4 in this respect.

Argyll & Bute Council therefore object to the proposal due to the adverse impact it would have on Aviation.

The Energy Consents Unit should please note that:

• Should Sheirdrim Renewable Energy Development be refused, then Argyll & Bute Council would no longer object to Rowan wind farm on Landscape & Visual grounds.  Should Sheirdrim Renewable Energy Development be approved then the Council’s objection would be maintained as per the recommendation in this report.

• If National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and Glasgow Prestwick Airport withdraw their objections, then Argyll & Bute Council would no longer object on aviation grounds. Should these objections not be removed, and the proposal progresses to an Inquiry, Argyll & Bute Council would defer to National Air Traffic Services and Glasgow Prestwick Airport as the Technical Experts on this matter.

(Reference: Supplementary report number 3 by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 31 January 2023 and supplementary report number 4 dated 14 February 2023, submitted)