Planning consent for monitoring masts lead to wind farm concerns

Dec 13 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

TWO separate applications for the erection of temporary monitoring wind masts in Perthshire beautyspots and popular hill-walking areas have been approved by development control councillors.

The Perth and Kinross councillors were told that approving the masts did not set a precedent for any ensuing permanent wind turbine applications.

The first application to go before the committee was for a 60m meteorological monitoring mast on elevated ground to the north-east of Connachan Farm and overlooking the Sma’ Glen and the historic General Wade’s Road. The applicant is Force 9 Energy.

In a report to committee, development quality manager Nick Brian explained the site of the proposed anemometer mast and the surrounding land was subject to an application for a wind farm which was refused by the council and then dismissed at a public local inquiry in 2006.

Mr Brian advised: “This application solely relates to the erection of a mast and has absolutely no bearing on the acceptability or otherwise of any future application for a wind farm on this site.

The same comment applied to an application for an even higher – 80m – monitoring mast in the foothills of Benachally to the north of Butterstone and the Dunkeld to Blairgowrie road. The site lies within 1.5km of the Forest of Clunie Special Protection Area – an internationally-important breeding area for ospreys and other rare bird species.

The applicant is Stroud-based Ecotricity (Next Generation) Ltd, who have been told they must mark the mast with brightly-coloured reflectors and aviation lighting to make it more obvious to birds and pilots.

Community fear

Ward councillor John Kellas commented: “There is fear in the community that while erecting this mast on a temporary basis it could lead on to a wind farm which the community feel is inappropriate for this location.”