| P&K Rejects Calliacher Proposal - Again
Opposing a resubmitted application for a wind farm in Highland Perthshire will lead to inevitable defeat at a sunsequent public inquiry, that was the professional advice to the Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee of P&K by Nick Brian, Quality Control Manager on 7 May.
Yet despite that, and following two hours of presentations and discussion, I & H Brown’s modified bid to build 14 turbines at Calliacher, south of Aberfeldy, was moved for refusal on the proposal of C’llr John Kellas, seconded by C’llr Ken Lyall and rejected by the committee on nine votes to three.
The previous application was refused following a public inquiry because 13 of the 27 giant turbines would have had an unacceptable visual impact from the road through Glen Quaich. I & H Brown stated it has addressed all objections and pointed out it will benefit the area through jobs and a substantial community fund.
The turbines, 59 metres tall with the blades stretching 11 metres, would have covered a 221 hectare area of moorland between Glen Cochil and Glen Quaich and project 32.2 megawatts of energy.
Consistency
C’llr Alasdair Wylie (Strathtay Ward) pointed out to the committee that P&K had a presumption against wind farms in this area and that to be consistent it must oppose the reapplication. “This is the wrong thing in the wrong place,” he asserted.
Speaking for the opponents of the scheme, Jill Wilson outlined her fears for the fragile communities, the landscape which she described as ‘a national treasure’ and the wildlife habitats.
Enough is Enough
Speaking for the Pitlochry-based John Muir Trust, Nigel Hawkins stressed that - in conjunction with the massive nearby Griffin wind farm - the cumulative impact would be too much. “How many more windfarms are there to be in Highland Perthshire? It is one of the the most beautiful parts of Scoltand and it has its share of windfarms.”
In moving his rejection proposal C’llr Kellas (Strathtay Ward) asked: “When is enough, enough? I believe we have crossed this threshhold.”
Afterwards, C’llr Barbara Vaughan (also Strathtay Ward) said: “It is a great pity that it falls to such a small community as Strathbraan to safeguard Perthshire by their arguments. Were there a proposal for an industrial complex on such a large scale for the centre of Perth, there would be thousands of people out protesting.”
She paid tribute to the Amulree and Strathbraan Wind Farm Action Group (ASWAG) on its persistence and professionalism.
She added that: “It now falls to all of us in the council to ensure that the impacts of Griffin on the local communities are kept to a minimum.”
Griffin Doubts
This latest set back at Calliacher comes at a time of considerable uncertainty for wind farm projects in Highland Perthshire.
Recent reports revealed that General Electric has dropped out of the Griffin wind farm consortium – Perthshire’s largest – leaving a potential £100 million funding shortfall for remaining developers, Alloa-based GreenPower.
GreenPower officials have to date failed to respond to queries about the future of that 68 turbine 204MW project.
MSP Response
Commenting on the decision as it appeared that I&H Brown are to consider an appeal, MSP Murdo Fraser said: “ The Councillors are listening and representing the people of Highland Perthshire by taking this decision and refusing the development. It is clear that the Calliacher wind farm would have had an unacceptable visual impact on the surrounding area. Even though the proposed wind farm application was smaller than the original proposal, it is still sited in the wrong area and would have damaged the local scenery, environment and tourism industry."
He added: “Perth & Kinross Council has made it abundantly clear that they do not want this wind farm and I hope that this decision is respected. In 2006, we had to go through a long, expensive and sapping public inquiry and we have had to wait a long time for this latest decision. The last thing that people in Highland Perthshire need is a fresh appeal and this saga continuing for another year."
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