North East Fife councillors will be asked to support proposals for a massive windfarm 20 miles off the Fife Ness coast.
In a report to Fife Council’s North East planning committee on Wednesday, Fife Council planner James Wright is recommending the council supports the principle of the Inch Cape development.
However, he also highlights areas which require further assessment, including ecology, archaeology and further consultation with the local fisheries industry.
The proposed wind project comprises an offshore windfarm within the north-eastern sector of the outer Firth of Forth area.
The proposed windfarm, by Inch Cape Offshore Ltd, would comprise up to 213 offshore wind turbines, a maximum capacity of 1050mw, up to three meteorological masts, up to five offshore collector stations and an onshore substation for transmission of power to the national grid at Cockenzie, East Lothian.
While Fife Council is not the determining authority for this application, the local authority is being consulted by Scottish ministers (Marine Scotland) as part of the determination process.
If the council, as a statutory consultee, was minded to object to the proposals, Scottish ministers may be required to call a public inquiry.
In a letter to Marine Scotland, Fife Council head of enterprise, planning and protective services Keith Winter adds: “Fife Council is seeking to become Scotland’s ‘leading green council’ and supports the development of appropriate renewable energy technologies generally.
“Development which supports this ambition is also welcomed. While the council supports the general principle of the proposal and welcomes the inherent benefits it is likely to generate for the east of Scotland and Fife in particular, there are a number of areas of concern in relation to the environmental statement which we would wish to highlight to the Scottish Government.”
Fears have already been expressed in Angus that the impact of these and other proposed turbines have been “understated.”