The construction of a wind turbine north of Cupar has been prevented after those behind it refused to provide councillors with further details of the potential for noise nuisance.
The Browns, of Inverdovat Farm, Newport, wanted planning permission for a 41.5m turbine at Newington Farm, near Luthrie.
Electricity from the turbine would have been used for farm cold stores, with surplus sold to the national grid.
However, the application was knocked back by Fife Council’s north-east Fife area committee, which was told that the information it requested a month ago about acoustics at the nearest residential properties had been declined.
Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor David MacDiarmid proposed the turbine should not be built as it could create noise nuisance, would harm the landscape and impact visual amenity. He said, “We asked for more further noise information, the applicant has refused and we are being asked to put through this wind turbine application.
“I still don’t think we have the information we need.”
Cupar councillor Roger Guy said, “I find it difficult to see why we are proceeding with this application without sufficient information on noise.”
After being asked to provide more specific data after a meeting last month, the applicants simply referred to wind turbine guidance for turbines of that category.
Planner Mary Stewart told the committee that that guidance had been followed and that the councillors’ request was above and beyond what was normally expected.
Her department recommended that consent be given with a condition that the turbine operated below a set noise level.
Creich and Flisk Community Council was pleased with the outcome.
Chairman Alan Evans said, “Although potential noise nuisance was considered important, it was the effect of this sizable structure on the sensitive rural landscape around Moonzie and also on the adjacent Tay coast special landscape area which seemed to sway the committee.
“The overriding consideration when judging development proposals in designated landscape areas is that they must either maintain or enhance the landscape and in this case that clearly could not be achieved with a structure of this size at this exposed site.”
He added, “It was noted that the proposal breached many of Fife Council’s own planning policies and we are very pleased that councillors used this as an effective tool to maintain the unspoilt landscape character of this area.”