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Greenock wind farm decision
03/08/2007
Scottish Ministers have refused consent for the construction and operation of a windfarm near Greenock under section 36 of the Electricity Act.
Ministers decided the application to build a 55 mega watt windfarm at Devol Moor would have impacted on the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and the safe operation of Glasgow Airport.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said:
"This decision follows a lengthy process which involved full scrutiny of the arguments at a Public Inquiry.
"The Reporter concluded that the development would be contrary to the development plan, primarily as a result of the impact on the Regional Park. The development would also have potential safety implications for Glasgow Airport, with risks to the safe operation of air traffic control radar."
"While I am not bound to accept the Reporter's recommendation, I have concluded, after careful consideration, to refuse consent."
Reiterating the Scottish government's commitment to wind and other forms of renewable energy, Mr Mather continued:
"Scotland has a vast potential to generate electricity from renewable energy. This Government will build an energy strategy for Scotland which will include the whole renewable mix - from biomass to the energy we can generate from waves and tides.
"We will press on with giving new technologies for generating green energy the support they need. The proposal at Greenock is only a tiny proportion of the potential for renewable energy generation in Scotland. There are renewable energy projects currently under consideration by Scottish ministers with the potential to generate up to six giga watts of electricity, while the Greenock windfarm would only have generated 55 mega watts.
"While we cannot have onshore windfarms anywhere or at any price to the environment, it is clear that onshore wind will continue to play a crucial role over the next few years."
- In May 2003, Airtricity Ltd applied for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct a wind farm on Devol Moor near Greenock. The development would comprise 22 turbines and would have a generating capacity of 55 Megawatts.
- Inverclyde Council, the relevant planning authority, objected to the application. Under schedule 8 of the Electricity Act 1989, where the relevant planning authority objects to an application and the objection is not withdrawn, Scottish Ministers must require a Public Local Inquiry to be held and consider the report. Accordingly the case was referred to Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporter's Unit in November 2004.
- The Public Local Inquiry was held in Greenock. The Reporter recommended the consent should be withheld on the grounds of incompatibility with development plans.