Perth and Kinross Council will today make the call on an appeal to build a wind turbine to fuel one of Perth’s biggest employers’ headquarters after an initial application was rejected.
Insurance giants Aviva had proposed to build a 77-metre turbine capable of generating enough electricity to power more than half of the Pitheavlis Terrace complex.
However, councillors told the company to think again in January when they turned down the proposals after receiving a string of complaints.
Blueprints had been submitted to build the tower at the back of the category A listed building, on the edge of Craigie Hill Golf Club.
Scottish Natural Heritage told Perth and Kinross Council the tower would be “the most visible structure in the city”, while the local authority’s environmental health team raised concerns over noise pollution and shadow flicker.
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The firm had suggested it would look at “next steps” when the plans were rejected earlier in the year.
A spokesperson from the company said: “Aviva takes climate change very seriously and we want to do all we can to try to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.”
Following the installation of photovoltaic panels on the building’s roof in 2017, Aviva currently generates around 63,000 kWh each year.
Aviva have confirmed that the nearest house to the turbine, facing away from the tower, would be 350m away at the new Bell Gardens development.
This morning, the council’s local review body will make a decision on whether to grant planning permission for the project.
