Argyll Council to object to wind turbine plans
Argyll and Bute Council is set to object to plans for wind turbines at Tayinloan after councillors reacted angrily to a proposed consultation response.
The local authority was asked by the Scottish government for its views on plans to site a wind farm on the Killean Estate.
The nine 180m wind turbines would have a maximum generating capacity of 50 megawatts but councillors expressed dissent at a recommendation by officers that the council should only object on the aviation impact of the proposed turbines.
A holding objection will now be submitted instead, with a full response to be decided later.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s planning, protective services and licensing (PPSL) committee.
SNP councillor Jan Brown said the local authority was not doing their communities justice if it recommended the plan went ahead.
Conservative councillor Amanda Hampsey added: “Hallelujah for Councillor Brown’s comments, because they are exactly what I am thinking.
“When you hear the amount of community councils coming forward and saying that they object to this, at what point do communities actually get a say?
“I find it really quite appalling that there are more and more wind farms coming forward and the consideration is it will be OK because there will be so many of them. We are completely disregarding our communities.”
Labour-controlled West Dunbartonshire Council refuses to comment on wind farms, particularly in relation to a planning application for at least one turbine in the hills above Bonhill.
Chief Communications Officer, £129,000 a year Amanda Graham, pictured right, has banned her staff from speaking to The Democrat denying the electorate any insight into where the elected members stand on the application.
Councillors of both the SNP and Labour refuse to overturn the decision which was taken with any formal meeting to discuss the matter.
Argyll’s planning officer Arlene Knox said there was limited scope for her council to move on this.
She said: “My interpretation of the expert’s advice is that since [another wind farm] was given permission by Scottish ministers, there will be a wind farm less than a kilometre away with wind turbines up to 200m high.
“Should Killean be granted, it will be regarded as an extension. My understanding is that the damage has already been done, so it lessens the impact Killean will have.”
After a short break to consider a competent motion, councillor Brown moved that the council should object based on policies of the National Planning Framework.
Nearly all councillors in the meeting agreed and a detailed representation will be submitted following the PPSL committee’s next meeting on 18 November.