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Calliachar: New Appeal by Developers
Wind farm developer I&H Brown has appealed against Perth & Kinross Council’s decision to reject the revised Calliacher wind farm application, and MSP Murdo Fraser believes that only a full public inquiry is appropriate to determine the appeal.
An original wind farm development proposal at Calliacher was rejected in 2007 after a public inquiry but the Reporter indicated that the Calliacher project, near Aberfeldy, would be acceptable if reduced below 50MW. Perth & Kinross Council rejected the revised wind farm application and the developer I&H Brown has now lodged a new appeal against that decision.
The MSP, who spoke against the original wind farm proposal during the public inquiry in September 2006, believes that a wind farm at the site should now be ruled out altogether. In his precognition at the original public inquiry, he argued that the wind farm must be rejected because it would have a negative impact on the local tourism economy due to the damage it will cause to the scenery of the area.
Full Public Inquiry
Commenting, the MSP said: “This latest bid is a new application and therefore should be treated as such with a new and full public inquiry. I believe that a full public inquiry will let all views to be aired and allow for a full examination of the application.
“Perth & Kinross Council has already made it abundantly clear that it does not want this wind farm. The last thing that people in Highland Perthshire wanted is a fresh appeal and this saga continuing for another year or two.
“I want to see Scotland lead the way in renewable technology, but better guidelines are needed so that submitted wind farm applications are sited appropriately. It is clear that current Scottish Government policy in this area is inadequate if revised wind farm applications that have already been rejected are again being appealed by developers.”
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