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Committee Reports and Agendas
May 2003 to April 2007
 | NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL |
| Agenda Item 6 29 September 2003 |
| Subject: | Potential for Windfarm Developments in North Ayrshire: Research Study |
| Purpose: | To advise the Committee of the outcome of the study undertaken by the Macaulay Institute to inform policy formulation in respect of the potential visual impact and intervisibility of windfarm developments in North Ayrshire. |
| Recommendation: | That the Committee note the study undertaken by the Macaulay Institute. |
1. Introduction
- the development is appropriate in design and scale to its surroundings;
- there is no significant adverse effect on the intrinsic landscape qualities of the area;
- the proposal shall not result in unacceptable intrusion, or effect natural and or built heritage;
- there are no negative impacts due to the culmulative impact of development proposals.
- In March 2003 the Scottish Ministers adopted a revised target of 40% for Scotland's energy requirements to be generated from a range of renewable sources by 2020.
The Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan is supportive of wind turbine and wind farm developments provided there are no significant adverse effects on local communities and the natural and built environment.
Policy INF 7 "Renewable Energy" in the Finalised North Ayrshire Local Plan supports the development of wind turbines, wind farms, biomass, energy from waste and any other renewable energy developments, subject to a number of criteria being met including :
Interest in the development of windfarms in North Ayrshire is concentrated on sites to the north of Ardrossan, around the Hunterston peninsula and north-east of Largs, where the highest average wind speeds - above the level required for the satisfactory operation of a wind farm - are recorded.
Apart from wind speeds, many other factors require to be considered in the assessment of a proposal to develop a wind farm (e.g. Impact on Local Communities; Landscape and Visual Effect; Ecology; Heritage; Agriculture; Noise; Telecommunications; and Air Traffic Movements).
2. Current Position
In response to the number of proposals and enquiries regarding the development of wind farms, Scottish Natural Heritage together with the committees of the joint structure plans for Ayrshire, and Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, appointed Land Use Consultants to carry out a Windfarm Landscape Capacity Study of Ayrshire and the Clyde Valley. This study addresses the landscape and visual aspects of windfarm developments, and is intended to inform the process of strategic policy making. It does not provide a basis for the assessment of individual windfarm proposals.
Most of the sites attracting interest for wind farm developments in North Ayrshire lie within the boundary of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. This area of rugged moorland hills and valleys is recognised as a sensitive landscape with a range of natural habitats. The Park Authority has drafted a Framework Guidance Document for the consideration of proposed windfarm developments within the park area.
On 5 September 2003, the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee agreed to undertake a review of the Structure Plan. This review which will commence later this year will include a reassessment of the policy on renewable energy developments and wind farms in particular.
As part of the first review of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan an Issues Report on Wind Energy in the Structure Plan Area has been published. This recognises that wind energy and windfarms currently comprise the main issue of planning significance in relation to renewable energy developments.
3. Proposal
Concentration on the visual impact of wind farm developments, is often out of proportion with the assessment of the overall disadvantages and benefits of a sustainable renewable energy project. Too much emphasis can be placed on the visual impact, actual or perceived, of wind farm developments, and it was considered that the remit for the SNH study was so general that it was unlikely to fit with the positive policy in the plan.
In commissioning the Macaulay Institute to undertake this study, we have sought to explore an alternative approach, optimising the opportunity for wind farm developments in North Ayrshire while ensuring that the negative visual impacts are minimised. The study utilised all current known applications and interests received by North Ayrshire Council, undertook a theoretical assessment of the zone of visual influence (ZVI) from adjacent towns, transport corridors and the sea. No account was taken of proposals for wind farm developments outwith North Ayrshire.
Both studies are intended to identify some basis for evaluation to inform the formulation of strategic policy. They do not identify "preferred areas" for the development of wind farms, and are not intended to be used in the assessment of individual applications for planning permission.
4. Implications
The limitations of these studies which represent one aspect in dealing with proposals for wind farm developments must be emphasised.
While the Macaulay study has indicated a preferred order in terms of cumulative visual impact for the development of sites known to be of interest to potential developers in North Ayrshire this does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of the situation, nor does it bind North Ayrshire Council to any aspect of the study.
The study will be useful in informing the continuing debate, providing a positive approach to balance the attitude of other agencies and assisting the Council in the assessment of its policies. These policies can then be redrafted and developed for inclusion in future reviews of the Structure and Local Plans.
5. Consultation
The Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Team have been involved in the promotion of this study by the Macaulay Institute.
6. Conclusion
The Committee are asked to note the completion of the study undertaken by the Macaulay Institute, recognising that it relates to one aspect of the overall assessment of wind farm development proposals, and is not intended to be used in appraising individual applications.
| BRIAN MACDONALD Assistant Chief Executive (Development and Promotion) |
Reference :
For further information please contact Iain McQuaker , on ext.5186
Committee Reports and Agendas
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