Four wind turbines at Land At Cairds Wood

“This application seeks planning permission for the erection of four wind and associated ancillary infrastructure turbines with a combined generating capacity of up to 16.8MW at Cairds Wood, Keith, Moray. This will form an extension to the existing Edintore Wind Farm.”

“Option 1 connects to the site via the B9115 and is designated exclusively for abnormal load (ABL) vehicles for turbine delivery and installation. Option 2, via Blackhillock Road (U43H), is intended for standard construction and operational traffic, including staff and standard deliveries. • The proposed development would result in loss of 18.63ha of woodland. The application will provide compensatory planting to offset the woodland removal.”

“The proposed development site is located on Cairds Hill (301m AOD) 2km to the south of Keith. • The total site area covers approximately 170 hectares and largely comprises the Cairds Wood area and open grassland fields to the east. • The site 1.2km to the north of the Moray/Aberdeenshire boundary.”

“21/00033/SCO – Environmental Impact Scoping request for construction and operation of 7no wind turbines with overall tip height of up to 150m forming an extension to the operational Edintore Wind farm associated infrastructure including crane hardstanding access tracks and substation compound at the same site subject of this application.”

“23/00121/APP – Permission granted for application under section 42 to vary the terms of the existing planning permission for Edintore wind farm (condition 22 (a) to allow noise monitoring to take place every 5 years instead of every 2 years as currently required.”

“Conclusion This proposed development represents an acceptable renewable energy development proposal. The proposal accords with national and local planning policy regarding the expansion of renewable energy and will make a contribution towards meeting renewable energy targets, addressing climate change.”

“The proposed development is likely to result in significant adverse landscape and visual effects; however, these would be limited in number and extent and, although there would be disparities in the size of turbines in some views when viewed alongside the operational wind turbines at Edintore immediately to the south, a reasonably balanced appearance has been achieved through the design layout.”

“A total of 22.09 ha of woodland requires to be felled to facilitate the proposed development. Restocking proposals result in an overall decrease of 18.63 ha of woodland which will require compensatory planting. The compensatory planting will need to be carefully sited, within Moray and subject to the highest standards of design. Moray Council and Scottish Forestry should be consulted on the location and composition of this.”

“Ministry of Defence – Following submission of further information, no objection, subject to conditions requiring the submission/approval of an Air Traffic Control Radar Mitigation Scheme (ATCRMS) to mitigate the impact of the development upon the operation of Air traffic control radar systems used by RAF Lossiemouth and MOD air traffic control operations, implementation of the ATCRMS prior to operation of any wind turbine, an aviation lighting scheme covering construction…”

“Comments: Chapter 9 of EIA Report considers potential effects of the proposed development on surface water and groundwater, including private water supplies. The Private Water Supply Assessment and supplementary information (with input from the Private Water Section) has identified 11 private water supplies within 1.2km of the proposed development.”

“Issue: Wake loss impacts / commercial concerns, the proposed development is anticipated to reduce energy output at Edintore Wind Farm by approximately 2% annually due to wake effects. No Wake Loss Assessment has been submitted, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) omits consideration of this impact, particularly within the Socio-Economic and Climate Change chapters.”

“In response, Mr Smith, Principal Planning Officer advised that no development would take place until a Private Water Supply Management Plan had been received, as detailed in condition 32, however suggested that these specific properties be named within the condition to provide assurance to home owners that their water supply would not be affected.”

“In relation to tree felling, several concerns were raised particularly in relation to the associated compensatory planting measures noting that compensatory planting would not fully mitigate against the loss of habitat.”

“Thereafter, the Committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission in respect of Planning Application 24/00617/EIA subject to the following conditions and reasons with amendments to conditions 32, 33 and 40 to reflect the following:”

“Condition 32 • Mains of Auchindachy Farmhouse, Keith, AB55 5HT and Coldhome, Keith, AB55 5NX to be named to provide assurance to home owners that their water supply would not be affected; • Update job title of Environmental Health Manager to Service Manager Community Protection; • Condition 33 – to stipulate that the CP area must not include or affect land that is classified as prime agricultural land, must include provision for at least 50% native broadleaf species, and…”