Reports on Applications
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PLANNING APPLICATION: 14/01087/EIA In the event that a recommendation on this planning application is overturned the Committee is reminded of the advice contained on the front page of the agenda for Reports on Applications THE PROPOSAL Application for planning permission (as amended) for a wind farm with 6 turbines and associated ancillary infrastructure. Six (6) variable speed, 3-bladed turbines are proposed, each to be finished in a semi-matt grey colour (details to be agreed). Each turbine is 126.5m high (to blade tip) (80m hub height, 93m rotor diameter) with the proposed (candidate) turbine model (Seimens SWT-2.3-93) having a maximum rated capacity of 2.3MW, or 13.8MW for the total development. (Final turbine choice subject to procurement process but submission based on "worse case" scenario using the identified turbine parameters). For each turbine, a transformer and switchgear unit is required. Dependent on turbine choice, transformer to be located inside or outside of the turbine (and if the latter, a 5 x 3 x 3m kiosk is assumed (no details included). Each turbine to be located on reinforced concrete foundations, approx. 21m in diameter and 3 - 4m deep dependent on bedrock depth. A crane pad, approx. 40 x 22m and separate assembly area approx. 40 x 15m are proposed alongside each turbine, formed by an aggregate material surface laid over a geotextile membrane or similar. 1 permanent anemometer mast to be erected (to north-west of turbine 6), 80m high and of steel lattice construction set on a reinforced concrete foundation. 1 temporary anemometer mast to be erected (to west of turbine 5), 80 m high and of single pole construction with support guy wires. Substation compound with control building to be located adjacent to access track and north of existing overhead power lines. Compound area, approx. 55 x 25m to be enclosed by 3m high security fencing. Control building, approx. 25 x 7.5 x 6m (max) to include electrical plant, telecommunications equipment, staff welfare and parking facilities, etc. External switchgear equipment may also be located within the compound (design details to be agreed). Temporary construction compound, approx. 100 x 100m with aggregate surface laid over a geotextile membrane to be located approx. midway between site access and turbine 6, to include site offices, staff welfare accommodation, storage and laydown areas for construction vehicles, equipment and materials, oil and fuel storage, aggregate recycling and concrete batching facilities, etc. Turbines to connect to national grid network via underground cabling to substation and thereafter, to the existing Dallas substation. New up-graded junction to be formed at site entrance onto B9010. Approx. 6.6km of access track to be provided (approx. 1.4km of up-graded track and 5km of new access track) with approx. 5.5m wide with 45 x 5m passing places provided at regular intervals and formed using crushed stone (sourced from on-site borrow pits or locally, if shortfall in material). Tracks routed to avoid areas of deeper peat or ground instability, but "floating tracks" may be required (subject to pre- construction ground investigations). Approx, "j"-shaped track layout connects all turbines and the permanent wind mast, off which two spurs lead to turbines 2 and 4, and 5 respectively. Proposed drainage system to include SUDS with swales and cross drains for access tracks and settlement lagoons adjacent to turbine pads and watercourses. 2 existing watercourse crossings to be up-graded and 5 new crossings to be constructed (design details to be agreed). 2 borrow pits proposed within the site, to provide majority of aggregate materials required together with on-site use of mechanical plant to crush rock. One borrow pit (BP01, to south-east of turbine 1) is approx. 73 x 70 x 2m deep and the other pit (BP02, to north of turbine 4 and 5) is approx. 185 x 84 x 2m deep (detailed specifications including re-instatement to be agreed). Construction hours to be within 07:00 - 19:00 hrs, Mondays - Fridays, and 07:00 - 13:00 hours, Saturdays and no Sunday/Public Holiday working. Any working outwith stated hours to be with prior agreement. A micro-siting tolerance of 50m is sought for turbine locations and access tracks to accommodate design modifications due to unforeseen ground conditions. Construction phase expected to last approx. 18 months after which all temporary facilities removed but crane pads and access tracks to remain during operation of wind farm (for maintenance and/or replacement of turbine components). Development to have 25 year operational life and thereafter decommissioned in accordance with a restoration and decommissioning plan (details to be agreed). With a total generating capacity of 13.8MW, the development will contribute to national renewable energy targets, producing approx. 33.7GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to an average electricity consumption of over 8,088 homes, with a potential energy saving of 520,849 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 25 years, equivalent to emissions from electricity from fossil fuel mix to approx. 7,127 homes. During the construction phase, temporary workforce of approx. 20 people will be employed (equivalent to 2 full-time equivalents) and during operation, job opportunities reduce with only irregular maintenance and repair visits required. Application accompanied by various supporting documents including Environmental Statement (ES) (5 volumes, including Non-Technical Summary); Addendum to Environmental Statement (November 2014) (Addendum I, 9 turbines); Addendum to Environmental Statement (March 2015) (Addendum II, 6 turbines); Planning Statement (PS); Design and Access Statement (DAS); and Pre-application Consultation report (PAC). A Construction Method Statement is also included (subject to review). THE SITE Approx. 510ha site with all turbines located in the southern part of the site, on and between the side slopes of Meikle Hill (288 mAOD) to the west and Mill Buie (342 mAOD) to the east. Turbines located between approx. 245 and 270 mAOD (turbine 2 and 6 respectively). Turbine 1 is the southernmost turbine located close to the southern boundary, defined by a Right of Way and woodland which also extend along part of the eastern boundary. Turbine 6 and 5 are most northerly and westerly located turbines respectively. The topography across the area of the turbines is gently sloping. The most elevated (southern) part of the site comprises mainly upland moorland with some forestry plantation to the north-west on Meikle Hill and Hillockhead (235 mAOD), the latter forming a backdrop to Dallas. To the north/north west, the land slopes down towards Dallas and to agricultural land extending along the River Lossie valley and the B9010 road located along the northern boundary of the site. Beyond the site to the south and west there is a mix of agricultural and wooded land. To the south and east the land cover is moorland and forestry, on which the existing 40-turbine Rothes I and II wind farm development [the Rothes development] is located immediately to the south-east of the site. The nearest settlements, Dallas and Kellas are approx. 2km distant from the site boundary, with Elgin and Forres approx. 13.5km and 13km to the north east and north west respectively. Individual properties and farmsteads are located around the outer margins of the site including Blackhills, Park and Tombeck to the north, Scottlackleys and Ballachcraggan to the south west, and Aultahuish to the south. Water courses including Back Stripe and Cold Burn etc drain the site towards the River Lossie to the north. The B9010 road bounds the site to the north and the minor Dallas - Kellas road forms part of the western boundary of the site. An existing access onto the B9010 and access track leading to Blackhills will be up- graded and used for access to the site, including construction traffic. South of Blackhills, a new section of access track will be formed across agricultural land and moorland to/from the turbines. The proposal is not located within any national or local landscape designation nor within any international or national cultural heritage or nature conservation designation although the Pluscarden Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and the Kellas Oakwood SSSI are located to the north and outwith the site. The site lies within a local (non-statutory) environmental designation, the Moss of Birnie Site of Interest to Natural Science (SINS) and there are archaeological interests within the site. For renewable energy policy purposes and as amended, all 6 turbines are located within an Area of Search and within the Upland Moorland and Forestry Landscape Character Area/Type (see below). HISTORY 12/02125/APP - Erect 80m high wind measurement mast at Meikle Hill - granted 7 February 2013 for limited period expiring 31 January 2018. 13/00867/SCO - Comments issued (5 July 2013) from the Moray Council in response to formal Scoping Opinion submitted to Scottish Ministers for a proposed Section 36 (S.36) application to erect 26 wind turbines at a maximum height of 126.5m to blade tip at Meikle Hill. The Scoping Opinion, issued by Scottish Ministers (23 September 2013), includes the comments made by the Moray Council. (Note: this S.36 application was not progressed). 13/00987/PAN - Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for erection of up to 26 turbines and associated infrastructure for wind farm development at Meikle Hill - response (5 June 2013) identifies requirements for consultation with the local community based upon the 'hypothetical' consideration of a proposed S.36 application being submitted to and determined by the Moray Council. 13/01181/PAN - Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for erection of up to 26 turbines and associated infrastructure for wind farm development at Meikle Hill - response (8 July 2013) confirms requirements for consultation with the local community based upon the 'hypothetical' consideration of a proposed S.36 application being submitted to and determined by the Moray Council.