DOCSLIB.ORG

Report to the Scottish Ministers SECTION 36 of THE

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report to the Scottish Ministers SECTION 36 of THE Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals Report to the Scottish Ministers SECTION 36 OF THE ELECTRICITY ACT 1989 AND SECTION 57 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997 Report by Lindsey Nicoll and Scott M Ferrie, reporters appointed by the Scottish Ministers Case reference: WIN-270-1 Site Address: land 1137 metres south of Creag Leathan, Limekiln Estate, Reay, Caithness Application by Infinergy Limited Application for consent (S36 Electricity Act 1989) and deemed planning permission (S57 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997) The development proposed: construction and operation of Limekiln Wind Farm Dates of inquiry/ hearing sessions: 25-28 August 2014 Date of this report and recommendation: 20 February 2015 4 The Courtyard, Callendar Business Park, Falkirk, FK1 1XR DX 557005 Falkirk www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Planning/Appeals abcdefghij abcde abc a CONTENTS Page Summary Report 3 Preamble 16 Abbreviations used in the report 17 Chapters 1. Background 18 2. Policy context 22 3. Landscape and visual impact 28 4. Impact on wild land 46 5. Local amenity impacts 64 6. Impact on ecology 66 7. Impact on forestry 84 8. Hydrology and hydrogeology 87 9. Climate change, carbon balance and peat management 89 10. Other relevant issues 94 11. Proposed conditions 102 12. Overall conclusions and recommendations 107 Appendices [attached as separate documents] Appendix 1: Note of pre-examination meeting Appendix 2: Schedule of documents Appendix 3: Appearances Appendix 4: Statement of common understanding Appendix 5: LVIA inquiry session: a. inquiry statements b. precognitions Appendix 6: Wild land inquiry session: a. inquiry statements b. precognitions c. exchange of submissions on competency of THC wild land objection d. applicant’s emails regarding further visualisations Limekiln wind farm report 1 Appendix 7: Planning and energy policy hearing session: a. hearing statements Appendix 8: Conditions hearing session: a. hearing statements b. proposed conditions c. Local Economic Benefit Scheme (APP-R2) d. Mr Young’s submission on the Local Economic Benefit Scheme Appendix 9: Further written submissions: a. representations made regarding Further Environmental Information (April 2014) b. representations made regarding Further Environmental Information (July 2014) c. further written submissions by the parties on (i) ornithology (ii) forestry (iii) hydrology and hydrogeology (iv) carbon balance and peat management Appendix 10: Closing submissions Appendix 11: Proposed conditions Appendix 12: Participants in evening session on local amenity impacts; statements submitted Limekiln wind farm report 2 Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals Summary of Report of Inquiry into application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed application for planning permission under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) The construction and operation of Limekiln Wind Farm at land 1137 metres south of Creag Leathan, Limekiln Estate, Reay, Caithness Case reference WIN-270-1 Case type Application for consent (S36 Electricity Act 1989) and deemed planning permission (S57 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997) Reporters Lindsey Nicoll and Scott M Ferrie Applicant Infinergy Limited Planning authority The Highland Council Other parties Scottish Natural Heritage; Reay Area Windfarm Opposition Group; John Muir Trust; Mr Webster; and Mr Young Date of application December 2012 Date case received by DPEA 29 November 2013 Method of consideration and date Inquiry sessions 25-28 August 2014 Hearing sessions 28 August 2014 Date of report 20 February 2015 Reporter’s recommendation Refuse S36 consent and deemed planning permission The Site: The application site is located about 1.5 kilometres to the south of the village of Reay, in Caithness. The site extends to approximately 1,140 hectares and largely comprises a commercial plantation of coniferous woodland. The site is bounded to the north by undulating moorland and semi-improved agricultural land with Reay village and dispersed settlement beyond. To the east lies further coniferous woodland. The land to the west and south is largely open moorland. The locally prominent Beinn Ratha is located about 1.2 kilometres to the west of the site boundary. Description of the Development: The proposed development would have a potential generating capacity of 75 MW. The main components of the proposed development are: 24 wind turbines (15 with a maximum blade tip height of 139 metres; and 9 with a maximum blade tip height of 126 metres) and turbine foundations; 2 borrow pits; new vehicular access from the A836 at Bridge of Isauld; hardstanding areas including crane pads; new and upgraded on-site access tracks (approximately 19.4 kilometres); watercourse and service crossings; temporary works Limekiln wind farm report 3 including construction compound; and control building and sub-station (if required) and cabling within the site. Consultations and Representations: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), although not objecting, advised that the proposed development would “result in a range of significant adverse landscape and visual impacts, some of which are capable of mitigation”. SNH subsequently led evidence at the inquiry at our request, based on the wild land impacts of the proposal. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) withdrew its initial objection, subject to mitigation on a range of matters. Marine Scotland did not object to the proposal, subject to conditions. Halcrow undertook a Peatslide Hazard and Risk Assessment of the proposal on behalf of ECDU and advised that the available information did not provide a sufficiently robust assessment of the peat landslide risk. Caithness West Community Council objected to the proposal based on landscape and visual impacts, community impact and cumulative impact. The Reay Area Wind Farm Opposition Group made representations on a range of local impacts which would arise from the proposal. Although the John Muir Trust did not initially object to the application it changed its position to one of objection on publication of SPP and the SNH mapping of wild land. RSPB did not initially object, but before the inquiry lodged an objection in regard to impacts on golden eagle. A range of other consultees either had no objection, or no objection subject to conditions. 566 letters of objection were received. The grounds of objection include: adverse landscape and visual impact, including cumulative impact; impact on the setting of Reay; adverse impact on wildlife and habitats; traffic impacts; shadow flicker; noise impacts; adverse health impacts; adverse tourism impacts; cultural heritage impacts; recreational impacts; impacts on peatland; carbon balance; adverse economic impact; inadequate Environmental Statement; and alternative technologies available/ necessity/ impact on bills and fuel poverty/ impact on property values. 17 letters of support were received. The grounds of support include: reduction in carbon emissions; achievement of local and national energy targets; local economic impacts; no/ few adverse impacts; and community benefits. The Highland Council objected to the proposal for the following reason: The application is contrary to the Highland wide Local Development Plan (Policy 67) in that there would be a significant detrimental impact on the visual amenity and landscape character of the area. This is due to: the size of the turbines and the effect upon the village of Reay and the wider area; the cumulative impact on the area when considered along with Forss I and II and Baillie wind farms; the impact on the A836 tourist route between Thurso and Tongue; and the effect on the Caithness Lochs SPA. The council later clarified that, following further consideration of the position of SNH, it withdrew reference to the effect on the Caithness Lochs SPA. The council did, however, pursue at the inquiry an additional line of objection based on the wild land impacts of the proposal. Limekiln wind farm report 4 The Cases for the Parties: Policy context The applicant submits that the proposal is appropriately sited, would provide a valuable contribution towards renewable energy targets, and draws clear support from national energy and planning policy and from the development plan. The council submits that the importance of national energy policy to consideration of this proposal is not in dispute, but there is no indication in any of those policies of a diminution of protection for the environment. Due to its significant adverse landscape and visual effects the proposal is contrary to the up-to-date development plan. It would not, therefore, contribute to sustainable development. The Reay Area Windfarm Opposition Group argues that the benefits of the proposal are outweighed by adverse landscape and visual impacts and the proposal is, therefore, contrary to the development plan. Landscape and visual impact The applicant contends that: the site is located within a modified landscape with capacity to absorb a wind farm of the size and scale proposed. Through careful choice of the site and turbine layout design, significant effects have been minimised on surrounding communities. No part of the site is subject to any form of statutory or non-statutory landscape planning designation. The number of residential properties that would experience significant visual effects is small and no residential properties would experience overbearing or dominant effects. The visual effects on
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Caithness County Council
    Caithness County Council RECORDS’ IDENTITY STATEMENT Reference number: CC Alternative reference number: Title: Caithness County Council Dates of creation: 1720-1975 Level of description: Fonds Extent: 10 bays of shelving Format: Mainly paper RECORDS’ CONTEXT Name of creators: Caithness County Council Administrative history: 1889-1930 County Councils were established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. They assumed the powers of the Commissioners of Supply, and of Parochial Boards, excluding those in Burghs, under the Public Health Acts. The County Councils also assumed the powers of the County Road Trusts, and as a consequence were obliged to appoint County Road Boards. Powers of the former Police Committees of the Commissioners were transferred to Standing Joint Committees, composed of County Councillors, Commissioners and the Sheriff of the county. They acted as the police committee of the counties - the executive bodies for the administration of police. The Act thus entrusted to the new County Councils most existing local government functions outwith the burghs except the poor law, education, mental health and licensing. Each county was divided into districts administered by a District Committee of County Councillors. Funded directly by the County Councils, the District Committees were responsible for roads, housing, water supply and public health. Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive 1 Provision was also made for the creation of Special Districts to be responsible for the provision of services including water supply, drainage, lighting and scavenging. 1930-1975 The Local Government Act (Scotland) 1929 abolished the District Committees and Parish Councils and transferred their powers and duties to the County Councils and District Councils (see CC/6).
    [Show full text]
  • Erection of 24 Wind Turbines at Limekilns Estate, Reay, Caithness by Infinergy
    Agenda THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL 5.1 Item NORTH PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE Report PLN/010/17 21 February 2017 No 16/02752/S36 : Infinergy Ltd Limekilns Estate, Reay, Caithness SUMMARY Description: Erection of 24 wind turbines (Limekiln Wind Farm) Recommendation: CONDITIONED RAISE NO OBJECTION Wards: 01 - North, West and Central Sutherland Development category: Major (Application under Section 36 of Electricity Act 1989) Pre-determination hearing: None Reason referred to Committee: Section 36 Application 1.0 Background 1.1 This application was reported to the North Planning Applications Committee on 10 January 2017. In advance of the item being presented, Members of the Committee agreed to defer the item to consider information presented to them in December 2016 by Scottish Natural Heritage as a member of the Peatland Partnership in relation to the tentatively listed World Heritage Site for the Flow Country. 1.2 Scottish Natural Heritage were asked, via the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents and Deployment Unit (ECDU), the following questions: 1. Why was the tentatively listed Flow Country World Heritage site not specifically referred to (and assessed as such) in SNH’s consultation response of 31 August 2016? 2. Without recourse to a full survey or assessment, what impact, if any, would the above proposed development have on the tentatively listed World Heritage Site? 3. Would the conditioned mitigation detailed in the SNH response for Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SAC and the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SPA be sufficient for the tentatively listed Flow Country World Heritage site? (If not, why not and what would be required to mitigate the impact/s on the tentatively listed Flow Country World Heritage site?) 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies Vol
    Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies Vol. 22 : Cataibh an Ear & Gallaibh Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies 1 Vol. 22: Cataibh an Ear & Gallaibh (East Sutherland & Caithness) Author: Kurt C. Duwe 2nd Edition January, 2012 Executive Summary This publication is part of a series dealing with local communities which were predominantly Gaelic- speaking at the end of the 19 th century. Based mainly (but not exclusively) on local population census information the reports strive to examine the state of the language through the ages from 1881 until to- day. The most relevant information is gathered comprehensively for the smallest geographical unit pos- sible and provided area by area – a very useful reference for people with interest in their own communi- ty. Furthermore the impact of recent developments in education (namely teaching in Gaelic medium and Gaelic as a second language) is analysed for primary school catchments. Gaelic once was the dominant means of conversation in East Sutherland and the western districts of Caithness. Since the end of the 19 th century the language was on a relentless decline caused both by offi- cial ignorance and the low self-confidence of its speakers. A century later Gaelic is only spoken by a very tiny minority of inhabitants, most of them born well before the Second World War. Signs for the future still look not promising. Gaelic is still being sidelined officially in the whole area. Local council- lors even object to bilingual road-signs. Educational provision is either derisory or non-existent. Only constant parental pressure has achieved the introduction of Gaelic medium provision in Thurso and Bonar Bridge.
    [Show full text]
  • North Highland Sg Walk
    SCOTLAND – THE NORTHERN HIGHLAND WAY 9-day / 8-night SELF-GUIDED inn-to-inn walk - the far north of Scotland with John O’ Groats & Orkney Scotland’s Northern Highland Way is a moderate walk on the wild side, taking you through some of the most scenic and remote landscapes in the far north of Scotland. This 120km trail begins in Thurso, the northernmost town on the British mainland, and allows you to take in stunning yet extreme backdrops from white sandy beaches to awe inspiring coastal cliffs, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea. This is your opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife including magnificent puffin bird colonies; to walk to the iconic Cape Wrath, named by the Vikings as the Norse for “turning point” and to visit the lighthouse built there in 1828. This is your chance to see the fascinating and historical Orkney Islands, to visit the picturesque harbour at Scrabster and to walk across the golden sand beaches at Torrisdale Bay. Stay in welcoming B&Bs, inns and guesthouses where walkers are well looked after, with a hearty Scottish breakfast each morning perhaps including a traditional porridge, tattie scones, black pudding square and sausage, all local fare. Carry only a daypack as your luggage is transferred for you. Accommodation on the Northern Highland Way is in high demand and is limited especially in the small villages along the way. Early booking is essential especially if you plan to travel in the popular months of May or September. Departs: Daily from April to September Cost from: $1415 per person twin share Single supplement limited and on request Starts: Thurso Ends: Durness.
    [Show full text]
  • International Passenger Survey, 2008
    UK Data Archive Study Number 5993 - International Passenger Survey, 2008 Airline code Airline name Code 2L 2L Helvetic Airways 26099 2M 2M Moldavian Airlines (Dump 31999 2R 2R Star Airlines (Dump) 07099 2T 2T Canada 3000 Airln (Dump) 80099 3D 3D Denim Air (Dump) 11099 3M 3M Gulf Stream Interntnal (Dump) 81099 3W 3W Euro Manx 01699 4L 4L Air Astana 31599 4P 4P Polonia 30699 4R 4R Hamburg International 08099 4U 4U German Wings 08011 5A 5A Air Atlanta 01099 5D 5D Vbird 11099 5E 5E Base Airlines (Dump) 11099 5G 5G Skyservice Airlines 80099 5P 5P SkyEurope Airlines Hungary 30599 5Q 5Q EuroCeltic Airways 01099 5R 5R Karthago Airlines 35499 5W 5W Astraeus 01062 6B 6B Britannia Airways 20099 6H 6H Israir (Airlines and Tourism ltd) 57099 6N 6N Trans Travel Airlines (Dump) 11099 6Q 6Q Slovak Airlines 30499 6U 6U Air Ukraine 32201 7B 7B Kras Air (Dump) 30999 7G 7G MK Airlines (Dump) 01099 7L 7L Sun d'Or International 57099 7W 7W Air Sask 80099 7Y 7Y EAE European Air Express 08099 8A 8A Atlas Blue 35299 8F 8F Fischer Air 30399 8L 8L Newair (Dump) 12099 8Q 8Q Onur Air (Dump) 16099 8U 8U Afriqiyah Airways 35199 9C 9C Gill Aviation (Dump) 01099 9G 9G Galaxy Airways (Dump) 22099 9L 9L Colgan Air (Dump) 81099 9P 9P Pelangi Air (Dump) 60599 9R 9R Phuket Airlines 66499 9S 9S Blue Panorama Airlines 10099 9U 9U Air Moldova (Dump) 31999 9W 9W Jet Airways (Dump) 61099 9Y 9Y Air Kazakstan (Dump) 31599 A3 A3 Aegean Airlines 22099 A7 A7 Air Plus Comet 25099 AA AA American Airlines 81028 AAA1 AAA Ansett Air Australia (Dump) 50099 AAA2 AAA Ansett New Zealand (Dump)
    [Show full text]
  • 6.4 Applicant: Infinergy Limited (17/01905/S36) (PLN/039/20)
    Agenda 6.4 Item Report PLN/039/20 No HIGHLAND COUNCIL North Planning Applications Committee Committee: Date: 20 October 2020 20/01905/S36: Infinergy Limited Report Title: Land 3080M West of Shepherds Cottage, Shebster, Thurso Report By: Acting Head of Development Management – Highland 1. Purpose/Executive Summary 1.1 Description: Limekiln Extension Wind Farm - Erection and Operation of a Wind Farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 5 Wind Turbines with a maximum blade tip height 149.9m, with access tracks, hardstanding areas, substation, battery storage facility, control 1.2 building compound, borrow pits and cabling Ward: 02 – Thurso and North West Caithness Development category: Major Development Reason referred to Committee: Major Development and Community Council Objection. All relevant matters have been taken into account when appraising this application. It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations. 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are asked to agree the recommendation to Conditionally Raise No Objection to the application as set out in section 11 of the report. 3. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 3.1 The Highland Council has been consulted by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) on an application made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (as amended) for erection and Operation of a Wind Farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 5 Wind Turbines with a maximum blade tip height 149.9m, with access tracks, hardstanding areas, substation, battery storage facility, control building compound, borrow pits and cabling.
    [Show full text]
  • Meeting with Police 4 November 2003
    Scheme THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL Community Services: Highland Area RAUC Local Co-ordination Meeting Job No. File No. No. of Pages SUMMARY NOTES OF MEETING 5 + Appendices Meeting held to Discuss: Various Date/Time of Meeting: 26th April 2018 : 10.00am Issue Date* 11 July 2018 Author Kirsten Donald FINAL REF ACTIONS 1.0 Attending / Contact Details Highland Council Community Services; Area Roads Alistair MacLeod [email protected] Alison MacLeod [email protected] Tom Masterton [email protected] Roddy Davidson [email protected] Kimberley Young [email protected] Mike Cooper [email protected] Highland Council Project Design Unit No attendance British Telecom Duncan MacLennan [email protected] BEAR (Scotland) Ltd Peter McNab [email protected] Scottish & Southern Energy Fiona Geddes [email protected] Scotland Gas Networks No Attendance Scottish Water Darren Pointer [email protected] Apologies / Others Kyle Mackie [email protected] David Johnstone [email protected] Trevor Fraser [email protected] Stuart Bruce [email protected] Ken Hossack – Bear Scotland [email protected] Clare Callaghan – Scottish Water [email protected] 2.0 Minutes of Previous Meetings Discussed works due to be done on Kenneth Street at the end of August. Bear would like copies of traffic management plans and they will send details of their work to Scottish Water. D&E and Stagecoach have been informed of these works and Mike will get in contact with them to discuss in more detail.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed Housing Development at Beauly, Inverness
    House Plot, Broubster, Shebster, Thurso, Caithness Erection of house, installation of services and formation of access Ref. 08/00078/REMCA – 10/03136/FUL Archaeological Watching Brief Catherine Dagg For C W Sutherland The Schoolhouse Achreamie Caithness KW14 7YB 2 House Plot, Broubster, Shebster, Thurso, Caithness: Erection of house, installation of services and formation of access Ref. 08/00078/REMCA – 10/03136/FUL Archaeological Watching Brief 3 1.0 Executive Summary A watching brief during site-stripping for the erection of a new house at Broubster, Shebster, Caithness identified no sub-surface archaeological features. A field boundary dyke associated with Broubster clearance village was partially removed and construction details were recorded. 2.0 Summary Site summary Rural site Centred on 303715 959735. Site location (NGR) Total area of construction House plot, services and access Work required Archaeological Watching Brief Area of monitoring required All ground-breaking work 3.0 Background This work has been carried out as a condition of planning consent, in accordance with a brief for archaeological work issued by the Archaeology Unit of the Department of Planning and Development at Highland Council. The archaeological work is considered necessary as the site lies in an area where there is potential for the survival of unrecorded buried remains. Although the full nature and extent of these features is not known, they are expected to be of historic interest and of value to future research, and as such they should not be destroyed unless this is unavoidable. The archaeological watching brief will identify any such features at the earliest possible stage, to allow the possibility of preservation through re-design of the project or, if this proves impractical, will ensure that the features are recorded with minimum delay or disruption to the development.
    [Show full text]
  • Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail Ghallaibh Agus Chataibh Measadh Buaidh Air Àrainneachd
    Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail Ghallaibh agus Chataibh Measadh Buaidh air Àrainneachd October 2018 Post-Adoption Statement www.highland.gov.uk Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2 Strategic Environmental Assessment Process ...................................................................... 3 Addressing Environmental Considerations in CaSPlan ......................................................... 5 Consideration of Consultation Responses ........................................................................... 12 Justification for Adoption of Plan ......................................................................................... 35 Monitoring Measures........................................................................................................... 36 1 | P a g e Introduction This is the Post-Adoption Statement for the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) which was adopted on 31 August 2018 by The Highland Council which is the Responsible Authority. It has been prepared in accordance with Section 18 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. It explains: how environmental considerations have been integrated into the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan; how the Environmental Report has been taken into account; how the opinions expressed in response to the consultations on the Environmental
    [Show full text]
  • Item 4: Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan
    THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL Agenda 4. Item CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND AREA COMMITTEE Report CS/12/ No 15 26 MAY 2015 CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Report by Director of Development and Infrastructure Summary This report presents a summary of matters raised in responses to the Main Issues Report (MIR) consultation for the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan), which ran from 30 October 2014 to 6 February 2015. It also presents a summary of matters raised in responses to the Additional Sites and Issues consultation that was undertaken from 13 March 2015 to 24 April 2015. Officers have been giving initial consideration to the matters raised and the report includes recommendations for the Council’s interim position on these for Area Committee’s consideration. The Area Committee is asked to agree the Council’s interim position to guide the preparation of the Proposed Plan, to be referred to the PDI Committee for consideration later in 2015 alongside ongoing environmental assessment and other actions to be undertaken. 1. Background 1.1 Following Area Committee’s approval of the Main Issues Report for the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan at its meeting on 23 September 2014, the MIR and an accompanying Environmental Report were published on 30 October 2014 for public consultation. The consultation ran for a total of 14 weeks; the original deadline of 29 January 2015 was extended to 6 February 2015 due to the postponement and rescheduling of the Brora workshop. 1.2 The MIR was not intended as a draft version of the plan; it was a discussion document that set out initial ideas and options for what the plan needs to achieve for people and places in the area and the Council’s initial preferences for where new development might be located.
    [Show full text]
  • Erection of Single Wind Turbine at 240 M SE of Balmore Farm, Dounreay
    Agenda THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL 3.4 Item NORTH PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE – Report No PLN/075/13 13 August 2013 12/04399/FUL : Mr Jeffery Bannerman Land 240M SE Of Balmore Farm, Dounreay Report by Area Planning Manager North SUMMARY Description: Erection of Single Wind Turbine 78 metres to blade tip, 49m to Hub with 58 Diameter Blades, Formation of Access Track and New Road Junction along with Ancillary Electrical Switchgear Housing Recommendation: REFUSE Ward: 04: Landward Caithness Development category: Local Pre-determination hearing: none Reason referred to Committee: Local member request. 1. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 1.1 Application is made in detail for the erection of 1 no. 900 kW Gamesa G58 turbine with a height to blade tip of 78 metres, a height to hub of 49 metres and a rotor diameter of 58 metres. The proposed development includes the formation of a new access track with a new road junction and ancillary electrical switchgear housing. The associated infrastructure includes turbine foundations; crane hardstanding; pole mounted transformer and associated cabling. The development also includes Temporary Construction Compounds of approximately 50 x 25m behind the farm buildings and 40m x 20m which would be located within the site adjacent to the turbine. The temporary “portacabin” type structures are to be used for site offices, the monitoring of incoming vehicles and welfare facilities, chemical toilets containerised storage containers for tools, small plant and parts, parking for around 10 cars/construction vehicles and a receiving area for incoming vehicles. 1.2 It is proposed that the turbine and construction components will utilise the A386 Reay to Thurso public road.
    [Show full text]
  • Caithness County Council
    Caithness County Council RECORDS’ IDENTITY STATEMENT Reference number: CC Alternative reference number: Title: Caithness County Council Dates of creation: 1720-1975 Level of description: Fonds Extent: 10 bays of shelving Format: Mainly paper RECORDS’ CONTEXT Name of creators: Caithness County Council Administrative history: 1889-1930 County Councils were established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. They assumed the powers of the Commissioners of Supply, and of Parochial Boards, excluding those in Burghs, under the Public Health Acts. The County Councils also assumed the powers of the County Road Trusts, and as a consequence were obliged to appoint County Road Boards. Powers of the former Police Committees of the Commissioners were transferred to Standing Joint Committees, composed of County Councillors, Commissioners and the Sheriff of the county. They acted as the police committee of the counties - the executive bodies for the administration of police. The Act thus entrusted to the new County Councils most existing local government functions outwith the burghs except the poor law, education, mental health and licensing. Each county was divided into districts administered by a District Committee of County Councillors. Funded directly by the County Councils, the District Committees were responsible for roads, housing, water supply and public health. Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive 1 Provision was also made for the creation of Special Districts to be responsible for the provision of services including water supply, drainage, lighting and scavenging. 1930-1975 The Local Government Act (Scotland) 1929 abolished the District Committees and Parish Councils and transferred their powers and duties to the County Councils and District Councils (see CC/6).
    [Show full text]