Responding to Wind Farm Applications

Responding to Wind Responding to Wind Farm ApplicationsFarm Applications

Ian AikmanIan Aikman

Major Applications, Review & Major Applications, Review & Enforcement ManagerEnforcement Manager

Scottish Borders CouncilScottish Borders Council

Scottish Borders Wind EnergyScottish Borders Wind Energy Commercial Windfarms:Commercial Windfarms:

-- Approved - 318 turbines generating 689MWApproved - 318 turbines generating 689MW-- Public Inquiry/ Appeal - 3 sites for 61 turbine Public Inquiry/ Appeal - 3 sites for 61 turbine

(213 MW)(213 MW)-- 8 Applications lodged for further 121 turbines 8 Applications lodged for further 121 turbines

(329WM) (329WM) -- PAN’s for further 60 further turbines (147MW)PAN’s for further 60 further turbines (147MW)

Feed In Tariff Schemes (less than 5MW) Feed In Tariff Schemes (less than 5MW) -- Approved 88 turbines (5.55MW)Approved 88 turbines (5.55MW)-- Applications for further 21 turbines (3.08MW)Applications for further 21 turbines (3.08MW)

Screening Opinions - 49Screening Opinions - 49 Scoping Opinions - 47 Scoping Opinions - 47

Information OverloadInformation Overload

Number of applicationsNumber of applications Environmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact Assessment Technical nature of information lodgedTechnical nature of information lodged Available on Public access and CC’s get Available on Public access and CC’s get

hard copyhard copy Information available on webInformation available on web

The Planning ActThe Planning Act

Section 25 Planning ActSection 25 Planning Act

““Where in making any determination under the Where in making any determination under the planning Acts, regard is to be had to the planning Acts, regard is to be had to the development plandevelopment plan, the determination shall be , the determination shall be made in accordance with the plan unless made in accordance with the plan unless material considerationsmaterial considerations indicate otherwise.” indicate otherwise.”

Consolidated Structure Plan 2001 – 2018 Consolidated Structure Plan 2001 – 2018 & Local Plan 2011 - Policy D4& Local Plan 2011 - Policy D4

Material ConsiderationsMaterial Considerations

Scottish Planning Policy (para 182 – 195)Scottish Planning Policy (para 182 – 195) Web based Planning Guidance (Replacing Web based Planning Guidance (Replacing

PAN45) – SG and SNHPAN45) – SG and SNH Supplementary Planning Guidance on Wind Supplementary Planning Guidance on Wind

Energy May 2011 Energy May 2011 Views of ConsulteesViews of Consultees Planning historyPlanning history Legitimate public concern or support – Legitimate public concern or support – provided provided

expressed on relevant planning mattersexpressed on relevant planning matters

Non Material ConsiderationsNon Material Considerations

Protection of Private InterestsProtection of Private Interests Loss of viewsLoss of views Loss of property valueLoss of property value Competition between businessesCompetition between businesses

Personal Circumstances of ApplicantPersonal Circumstances of Applicant Moral ConsiderationsMoral Considerations The Applicant’s lack of ownership of a site.The Applicant’s lack of ownership of a site. Issues governed by other legislationIssues governed by other legislation Title IssuesTitle Issues

Key Planning IssuesKey Planning Issues

Landscape character impact – Landscape Landscape character impact – Landscape AssessmentAssessment

Visual impact – receptors, cumulative impactVisual impact – receptors, cumulative impact Traffic or access problems Traffic or access problems Residential amenity (noise, visual impacts, Residential amenity (noise, visual impacts,

shadow flicker) shadow flicker) Associated infrastructure impact – access roads Associated infrastructure impact – access roads

etcetc Impact on the natural or built environment Impact on the natural or built environment

ConclusionsConclusions

Focus of key significant impacts of the Focus of key significant impacts of the developmentdevelopment

Avoid wider policy referenceAvoid wider policy reference Clear and concise comments on planning Clear and concise comments on planning

groundsgrounds Discuss with case officerDiscuss with case officer Landscape and visual impact will be most Landscape and visual impact will be most

critical issuescritical issues

Questions?Questions?