City turbines plan ‘breaks guidelines'
Two giant turbines proposed for Dundee's port break local and national planning guidelines, it has been claimed.
- By Kieran Andrews
- Published in the Courier : 07.04.10
- Published online : 07.04.10 @ 09.01pm
Residents Against Tay Turbines (RATTS) representative Brian Duncan made the charge at an explosive meeting of Broughty Ferry Community Council, where representatives from Forth Energy — the company behind the planned structures — were grilled on the subject.
Mr Duncan highlighted article 190 of the Scottish Government's Scottish Planning Policy document, which recommends turbines be built two kilometres away from built-up areas to reduce visual impact.
Such a distance from the planned site would include Baxter Park and Dundee Harbour to the west as well as Dawson Park and part of Broughty Ferry to the east.
However the guideline does give leeway for exceptions to be made in certain cases, and the two turbines situated at the city's Michelin factory go against this recommendation — with the nearest house just 260 metres away from a turbine.
The government guideline states, "A separation distance of up to 2km between areas of search and the edge of cities, towns and villages is recommended to guide developments to the most appropriate sites and to reduce visual impact, but decisions on individual developments should take into account specific local circumstances and geography.
"Development plans should recognise that the existence of these constraints on wind farm development does not impose a blanket restriction on development, and should be clear on the extent of constraints and the factors that should be satisfactorily addressed to enable development to take place."
Residential impact
Mr Duncan also pointed to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency policy of Dundee City Council's local plan review, which says small scale wind energy developments will be favourably looked on "where they have no significant adverse or cumulative effects on... neighbouring residential occupiers."
He also urged anyone interested in opposing the turbines to attend a meeting of RATTS at Craigiebank Church Hall on Thursday night.
Simon Munro, deputy director of Atmos Consulting, who are working with Forth Energy on the proposals, denied any guiding principles were being broken.
He said, "In terms of the point raised that the project is against planning guidelines, our response would be that is incorrect.
"We are complying fully with local and national guidelines."
Community council convener George Fraser called time on the turbine discussion after 45 minutes — much to the anger of many who had gathered in the Ferry's library.
There was standing room only at the back of the room, which erupted when Mr Fraser called time, prompting cries of "disgusting," "disgrace" and "you're letting them get away with it".
Mr Fraser responded, "We have other business to conduct... there are other people who have other problems in Broughty Ferry."
'You think we're stupid'
The meeting started with Forth Energy managing director Calum Wilson speaking about the plans to build the 127-metre structures at Stannergate.
Mr Wilson was heckled on a few occasions during his presentation, despite attendees being told not to interrupt until he finished, particularly when a screen shot was shown predicting how the turbines would look.
Many attendees claimed the photos had been manipulated to make the turbines seem smaller, with one saying, "you think we're stupid".
Mr Wilson did acknowledge the visual impact of what he called the "really imposing structures."
He said the firm had investigated the potential problems highlighted by residents — notably noise, shadow flicker and any impact on television receptions.
This included a promise to "remedy" any problems with TV receptions "at our cost" and have controls in place to severely reduce the impact of shadow flicker.
He said if the plans were given the go-ahead the structures could be up and operational in early 2012.
One man said he had been denied double-glazing in windows at his ‘B' listed property as there were not many other buildings with that type of window nearby, and added, "I'm restricted with planning and they are allowed to come along with these monstrosities."
