Anti-turbine campaign claims Clatto victory
BLOWN OUT: The CLPG has claimed victory in its attempts to halt a wind farm development near to Kennoway. A Scottish Government reporter has knocked back an appeal by the two renewables groups, who wanted to install 10 turbines between them at the site.
A WIND turbine development planned near to Kennoway has been thrown out again by Scottish Government officials.
West Coast Energy, who planned seven turbines at Devon Wood, and Green Cat Renewables, who wanted three at an adjacent site at Clatto Farm, had lodged an appeal over an original refusal – but the development was again rejected recently by a Government reporter.
The reporter dismissed the appeal on grounds of visual impact on residents, the adverse impact on the landscape and the excessive scale of the proposed turbines.
The decision followed two and a half years of campaigning by local people and the Clatto Landscape Protection Group (CLPG).
Greg Brown, chair of the CLPG, told the Mail: “We consistently drew the council’s attention to the adverse impacts on landscape and local people but senior planning managers refused to listen.
“Thankfully Fife councillors did, leading to refusal of planning permission.”
Both developers exercised their right of appeal after the development was rejected by council committees but have now to accept that their proposals will not go ahead.
Steve Salt, planning and development director at West Coast Energy, said he was “disappointed” with the decision and that the community would not be able to “enjoy the benefits associated with the project.”
He added the company was now reviewing the decision to refuse.
Green Cat Renewables did not wish to comment.
Mr Brown, though, claimed the announcement signalled a “great day” for the community on and around the development and also for the landscape of Fife.
He added: “It should give encouragement to any groups of residents faced with the prospect of giant wind turbines on their doorsteps.
“No community should actually have to face what we have faced.
“CLPG always felt both proposals were no-brainers.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
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