Council Invites Views On Guidance For Small Wind Turbines
21st August 2012
The Highland Council has prepared planning guidance for Small-Scale Wind Turbine Proposals and is asking for people's views on it.
From tomorrow (23rd August) the draft guidance is available to view on the website www.highland.gov.uk and in local Highland Council Libraries, Service Points and at Council Headquarters in Inverness. The consultation runs until 4th October 2012.
The Council is supportive of appropriate renewable energy developments, including micro and small-scale schemes. The Highland Renewable Energy Strategy sets out this broad support and recognises the potential for different types and scales of scheme to contribute to meeting energy needs.
There has been growing interest in recent years from people wishing to submit small-scale wind turbines proposals in Highland - defined by the guidance as being proposals for no more than 3 turbines in any one array and where the hub height of the turbine(s) is below 30m. People and businesses desire 'green energy', to meet their own energy needs and/or to supplement their income by selling electricity back to the national grid.
The guidance explains about different types of application that may be required and sets out minimum requirements for information to be submitted to the Council with applications. This includes advice on visual assessment and the consideration of noise issues. It also refers to key issues such as impacts on amenity, on other developments planned in the area and on landscape, including cumulative impacts.
Councillor Thomas Prag, Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, said: "The council supports the principle of renewables - including wind energy. Small scale turbines are part of that, but they can cause quite a bit of controversy locally, so we need a consistent approach to judge each application on its merits. This draft guidance aims to set out the framework on which each decision will be based. So it's really important that we get feedback on it from the public, organisations and the renewables industry."
Comments on the guidance should be sent to the Council in writing, either by email to devplans[AT]highland.gov.uk or by post to Development Plans Team, The Highland Council, Council Offices, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX, to arrive no later than 4th October 2012.
Anyone wishing further information or a paper copy of the document should telephone 01463 702259 or email devplans[AT]highland.gov.uk
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Members have considered an update on the Council's medium term financial plan and the impact of the UK and Scottish Governments’ budgets on the coming year’s funding settlement. The position is currently looking more positive than initially planned for, however more detail needs to be worked through.
In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands. The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year. The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year. The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25. Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years. Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.
A report published on 27 November 2024 by LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) looks at the state of funding for councils by the Scottish Government. Confidence in the sustainability of council finances is critically low.
At today's (Wednesday 27 November 2024) Communities & Place Committee, Members agreed the most appropriate long-term strategic direction for residual waste management is to continue to utilise a merchant provider solution. Communities & Place Committee Chair, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: "After careful consideration and analysis it has been agreed that a merchant provider solution is considered the most appropriate long term solution to our statutory waste management obligations, and that an energy-from- waste facility within the Highlands is not considered to be a suitable course of action.
