Wind energy guidelines
Why do we need wind energy policy and guidelines?
There is a widespread consensus on the need to move towards sustainability in energy provision. Renewable energy technologies are diverse and, therefore, have very different effects upon the local environment.
There is a need, therefore, to balance the benefits and disadvantages of wind energy development.
We think the approved policy and guidelines provide a balance between national planning guidance with the needs and concerns of local communities.
Do other technologies have some potential?
In Perth and Kinross, the renewable energy technologies that offer the greatest potential, at least in the short term, in addition to the existing large-scale hydro schemes, are wind energy, small-scale hydro and the use of forest residues.
Modern wind energy technologies and developments offer opportunities in supporting and developing the economy of Perth and Kinross to our benefit. However, wind farms, especially on a large scale, may have significant local impacts on the environment.
What is the purpose of the policy and guidelines?
The purpose of the policy and guidance note is to enable the wind energy industry to expand, but not at the cost of the natural and built environment.
The detailed policy guidance covers the following -
landscape impacts; visual impacts; cumulative landscape and visual impacts; biodiversity; cumulative ornithological impacts; operational impacts; water resources; aviation interests; carbon sinks; decommissioning and re-instatement; and the protection of wind energy developments.
The guidelines provide -
- the objective for individual policy guidelines
- detailed guidance on the interpretation of the guidelines
- the design measures which would help mitigate the impact
- an indication of how proposals for either planning applications or S36 applications should be evaluated against the guidelines
Where can I get a copy of the approved the wind energy policy and guidelines?
The Enterprise & Infrastructure Committee approved the revised wind energy policy and guidelines [PDF: 276Kb] its meeting on Wednesday 20 April 2005.
The approved policy and guidelines [PDF: 221Kb] are supplementary planning guidance on wind energy developments. We will use them to assess planning applications and S36 proposals to be determined by Scottish Ministers.
Have any other studies been done?
We together with Clackmannanshire Council and Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned David Tyldesley Associates to look at the capacity of the landscapes in the Ochils and the area between Crieff, Aberfeldy and Dunkeld to accommodate wind farms.
You can view the report - Landscape Study - Windfarm development in the Ochil Hills and part of Southern Highland Perthshire [PDF: 3.6Mb]
Is there any more information available?
We submitted a report (Draft Wind Energy Policy Guidance - Report and Consultation Paper [PDF: 1.78Mb]) to the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee of 3 March 2004. The report outlined the issues surrounding wind energy developments.
We held three workshops during April 2004 and the presentation [PPS: 7Mb] is available to view.
