Council objects to Glentarken Wind Farm development

The proposal, submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit (ECU), sought permission to construct and operate a wind farm comprising up to 12 turbines and associated infrastructure on land north-west of St Fillans.

While the development was recognised as a National Development under National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), members of the Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee concluded at today's meeting that the significant adverse effects on nationally designated landscapes outweighed the potential benefits.

Following recommendations from planning officers and consultation with statutory bodies, including NatureScot, committee members agreed that there are serious concerns about the impact on the Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area. In NatureScot's response to the consultation they also shared their objection on the basis that the proposal would compromise the integrity of this protected landscape. A view supported by the Council's own assessment.

Councillor Ian Massie, Convener of the Planning and Placemaking Committee, said: "While we fully support Scotland's transition to renewable energy, this must not come at the cost of our most valued landscapes. The Glentarken proposal would cause irreversible harm to areas that are nationally recognised for their scenic and cultural importance. We have a duty to protect these places for future generations."

The formal objection to the consultation is based on the Council's view that the proposal conflicts with:

• NPF4 Policy 4: Natural Places
• Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan 2 (2019)
  • Policy 33 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy, and
  • Policy 39 Landscape

The report to committee to consider this proposal can be found on the Planning and Placemaking Committee page of our website, and the full discussion which led up to this decision can be watched in the recording of the meeting on our YouTube channel.