APPENDIX A

MORAY COUNCIL

RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ON APPLICATION FOR S.36 CONSENT FOR PROPOSED WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT AT CAIRN DUHIE

( COUNCIL REFERENCE 13/02066/S36)

INTRODUCTION

RES UK & Ireland Ltd (the applicant) has applied for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act, 1989 as amended to construct and operate a proposed wind farm development at Cairn Duhie. The application includes a request that planning permission be deemed to be granted under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning () Act, 1997 as amended. The application will be determined by the Scottish Ministers.

The proposed wind farm development is located within the administrative boundary of the Council (THC).

The Moray Council (TMC) is the neighbouring local planning authority to the development. Through the Scottish Government‟s Energy Consents & Deployment Unit (ECDU), the Scottish Ministers have consulted and invited TMC (and others) to comment on the proposal.

The Proposal

Consent is sought for a proposed wind farm development at Cairn Duhie, a development with an expected operational life of 25 years from the date of first commissioning. The estimated construction period is approx. 28 months. The development includes:

20 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 60MW; each 3-blade wind turbine has a maximum height of up to 110 m (to blade tip, with 90 m rotor diameter) and a power rating of up to 3MW; at each turbine, external (low to medium voltage) transformer and related switch gear enclosures (approx. 7 x 4 x 3 m, and grey/green in colour); permanent hardstanding areas and temporary lay-down areas (approx. 1200 and 1100 sq m respectively) to be provided at each turbine location for use by cranes erecting turbines; a sub-station compound (approx. 65 x 73 m (max.)) to include a L-shaped grid connection building (approx. 12.6 x 12.7 x 4.8 m + 20.4 x 16.6 x 10.6 m) and a control building (approx. 13.9 x 32.4 x 5.5 m); all cabling to be undergrounded between each turbine and the on-site sub- station. The point of connection for the development into the grid system is currently unknown; a temporary construction and commissioning compound (approx. 80 x 50 m) with car park, and a temporary storage area; associated ancillary works including engineering operations and turbine foundations, and on-site sustainable drainage system (SUDS) works; one permanent, free-standing (non-guyed), steel lattice, wind monitoring mast (70 m high + 2 m high lightning rod); one telecommunication mast (10 m high) located adjacent to sub-station compound; six temporary guyed meteorological masts (70 m high + 2 m high lightning rod), arranged in three pairs (one at turbine location and one approx. 200 m upwind); new site entrance to be formed onto the A939 road. All construction traffic including abnormal load delivery vehicles to gain access to the site from road network within THC area; road widening works to facilitate access of abnormal load vehicles are proposed outwith the site and along the A939; new access tracks (approx. 6 m wide) with turning head to be provided within the site to connect the turbine locations/layout (approx. 10.3 km in length). together with tree felling on site, landscaping and ecological enhancement proposed including replacement planting and a habitat management plan; a 50 m micro-siting allowance is sought for all proposed infrastructure to avoid encroachment on any environmentally sensitive buffer area; for decommissioning, a restoration plan is to be prepared towards the end of the operating life of the development; Application accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES), a Planning Statement (PS), a Design & Access Statement and a Pre-application Consultation report.

The Site

The site is fully within the THC area and stops short of the THC/TMC local authority boundary to the south and east by approx. 250 m and 20 m respectively. The latter boundary is marked by a post and wire fence. The site is approx. 1.5 km to the south-east of Ferness (to nearest turbine) and bordered to the west by the A939 and by forestry plantations to the north. 275kV overhead transmission lines on steel pylons traverse the northern part of the site (Appendix B).

The site boundary for the development contains an area of approx. 666 ha dominated by a mixture of degraded bog and heath habitats with localised wooded areas and scattered trees. The total land take is approx. 1.58% (or 10.52 ha) with a further approx. 0.32% (or 2.1 ha) disturbed during construction.

The site includes Cairn Duhie, at 312 mAOD (at highest point), a low conical hill with land sloping down from it in all directions. The lowest point of the site is 200 mAOD at its northern edge.

Beyond the site, the land slopes towards the incised River valley to the north and north west, and to the east towards the Dorback Burn valley before rising up to the Knock of Braemoray.

The site is relatively open and devoid of built structures but enclosed by the Hill of Aitnoch (and Lochan Tutach) and Knock of Braemoray to the south and east, and coniferous plantations to the north. The broad valley of Anaboard Burn to the south east allows open views towards the site. The site is within a transitional area subject to the influence of the more open/remote moorland and summits to the east and south including Dava Moor, and the lower lying and managed, often forested, landscape to the north. The site is visible from elevated locations and roads nearby, including Knock of Braemoray and the A939 and A940.

Apart from some features of archaeological interest which occur on the site, there are no international or national landscape and nature conservation designations, or Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas or Inventory Historic Battlefield or Garden and Designed Landscapes, or core paths, public rights of way or residential properties on the site. Several of these designations occur within the wider area including the Drynachan, and Dava Moor Scenic Landscape Area (SLA) (approx 2 km to the south) and the Dava Way, approx. 3 km to the east. The nearest property outwith the site is approx. 1.1 km away (from the nearest turbine).

The site is located within the “Open Uplands” landscape character type (LCT) as defined within the Moray & Landscape Character Assessment (1998, by SNH and others). At the THC/TMC boundary, this LCT extends into the TMC area.

Within Moray, the A940 road is identified as a key scenic approach and the Knock of Braemoray is the nearest landmark hill to the site (approx. 2.7 km distant). The land area bordering the TMC/THC boundary is not identified as an „Area of Search‟ for wind turbine development (TMC Supplementary Planning Guidance: Moray On- shore Wind Energy (2013) (MOWE) and the Moray Wind Energy Landscape Capacity Study (2012) (MLCS) refer).

Policy

The site lies fully within the THC area. The provisions of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HLDP) (adopted 2012) including Policy 67 “Renewable Energy Development” and associated interim guidance on on-shore wind energy are relevant.

TMC development plan policy, in particular policy ER1 and associated material considerations i.e. MOWE and MLCS has some but lesser relevance because it does not cover the geographic area of the development site.

Planning History

20 September 2013 – Scoping Opinion for proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm issued by Scottish Ministers. Annex 1 to the Opinion incorporates comments provided by TMC.

13/00841/SCO – TMC response to Scoping Opinion report dated 17 June 2013.

Representations

A number of representations have been submitted to the ECDU. (All representations submitted to TMC have been forwarded to Scottish Ministers for their consideration).

Consultations (undertaken internally within relevant TMC Services/Sections only)

TMC Transportation – From the supporting information, the extent of the Transport Study area does not appear to include any roads within Moray therefore, no comments to make. Should there be a need for abnormal deliveries/construction traffic to access the site via the local road network within Moray, the Transport Study Area needs to be amended to reflect this and Transportation be re-consulted. The right is reserved to comment further if that is the case.

TMC Environmental Health Contaminated Land - No further information/action.

TMC Environmental Health - No objections subject to rating level of noise immission not to exceed wind speed values (as specified) at any dwelling; wind farm operator/developer to record wind speed and direction and address complaints alleging noise disturbance, vibration and shadow flicker; construction activity hours to be restricted to 0700 - 1900 hours, Monday – Friday and 0700 - 1600 hours, Saturdays (unless otherwise agreed); blasting times to be restricted (as specified); and ground vibration not to exceed peak particle velocity (as specified). (Note: From “Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 for the Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise” (May 2013) (Institute of Acoustics), the term “noise immission” is defined as “noise to which a receiver is exposed”.)

TMC Moray Access Manager – This is a remote site with no existing paths or access routes. Current access taken is informal involving low numbers of people across rough moorland. Public access is not a major issue for this development. The new vehicle access tracks will provide sufficient additional public access opportunities provided all gates allow non-vehicle users to access the site.

TMC Development Plans – the proposal is contrary to the aims of Policy ER1 of the Moray Local Plan 2008 and the MOWE and MLCS. (Note: The appraisal of landscape and visual effects has also been informed by comments from the Council‟s consultant landscape architect which are incorporated into this report).

Observations Policy Context This application is submitted under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, as amended with deemed planning permission sought under Section 57(2) of the 1997 Planning Act, as amended. Court decisions have determined that the provisions of Section 25 of the 1997 Act (requiring determinations in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise) do not apply to Electricity Act applications.

The 1989 Act requires an applicant and Scottish Ministers to have regard to (a) the desirability of preserving natural beauty, of conserving flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest and of protecting sites, buildings and objects of architectural, historic or archaeology interests; and (b) the extent which the applicant has complied with the duty to do what he reasonably can to mitigate any effect which the proposals would have on the natural beauty of the countryside or on such flora, fauna, features, sites, buildings or objects (Paragraph 3, Section 9 of 1989 Act refers).

In terms of the statutory context, the development plan should be considered „in the round‟ along with other relevant material considerations including national renewable energy policy and target requirements, and the benefits of renewable energy development (see below).

Highland-wide Local Development Plan (2012) Given the location of the development, the adopted Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HLDP) (2012) is relevant to the consenting process with Policy 67 “Renewable Energy Development” being of primary relevance. Generally, the PS concludes that the development would contribute to realising sustainability aims and objectives of the HLDP and specifically, against policy criteria/considerations within this (and other) policy, the proposal would accord with the development plan.

Balancing any predicted and identified significant (environmental) effects including landscape and visual effects, which are considered in the PS as inevitable given the commercial scale of the development, with the contribution that the development would make to renewable energy targets and the local economy, the applicant considers that the proposal is located, sited and designed such that it will not be significantly detrimental overall, individually or cumulatively with other development.

THC will determine their acceptability of this proposal in development plan terms.

Moray Development Plan The PS includes only a passing reference to the approved Moray Structure Plan (policy 2 (l)) and considers the adopted Moray Local Plan 2008 as having some relevance but when compared with THC policy, it has limited and less relevance because TMC policy does not cover the geographic area of the site.

Within the PS, discussion on the Moray Local Plan 2008 is limited and confined to the most relevant policy, Policy ER1 where compliance with the various criteria therein is considered by reference to the contents of the ES. The ES also lists some other (TMC) policies as having been taken into account for Environmental Impact Assessment purposes, and the MOWE and MLCS are regarded as having some relevance, notably in landscape and visual terms.

Except for landscape and visual matters, the PS concludes that the effects of the development within Moray are very limited, principally because the development is not located within Moray and therefore, the proposal is considered to comply with policy ER1 because no unacceptable effects have been identified in relation to the criteria identified within Policy ER1.

This broad conclusion can be accepted and is reflected in the limited comments received from internal TMC consultations, although conditions relating to noise, blasting and construction activities are recommended to ensure the development would not have unacceptable pollution impacts on nearby receptors (within the Moray area).

Relative to Policy ER1 d) and e), significant adverse landscape and visual, and cumulative effects are both identified and acknowledged in the PS and ES. For both matters, the PS considers that the resultant potential impact on the landscape and visual resource is not so unacceptable as to render non-compliance with policy based upon the contained nature of the effects of the development and the “fit” of this discrete group of turbines with the existing pattern of other wind developments elsewhere.

It can also be noted here that the development would satisfy the requirements of MOWE (and/or SPP) for a minimum safeguarding distance or buffer zone of 2km around towns, villages and rural communities, and a 1 km buffer around rural property. In this case, the nearest residential property (within Moray) are at Kerrow Farmhouse and Braemoray Lodge, approx. 1300 and 1348 m distant respectively. The x10 rotor diameter safeguarding requirement from regularly occupied buildings to address amenity and safety considerations including noise and shadow flicker is also met.

Consideration of Landscape and Visual effects In relation to landscape and visual impacts, the PS and ES acknowledge that the development will result in significant effects on the landscape character of the site and Open Upland LCTs within 5 km of the site (within both THC and TMC area). Beyond 5 km and within other LCTs the effects would be minor and not significant; a significant effect would occur on a designated landscape i.e. upon the Drynachan, Lochindorb and Dava Moors SLA (owing to proximity to, and increased visibility of turbines) but along with other designated landscapes including the Cairngorms National Park, NSAs, SLAs, GDLs and AGLVs, the proposal would not significantly affect the special qualities for which these landscapes were designated; significant effects would be experienced in some views close to the site, including views from tourist routes such as the A940 and A939 and from long distance walking routes i.e. the Dava Way; a significant cumulative impact is identified from the view from the summit of Knock of Braemoray; from the ZTV, there will be limited visibility of the development beyond 10 km to the south, east and north. All significant effects occur within 12 km of the site. The landform, including Knock of Braemoray and Hill of Aitnoch contain views from the south and east, and the effects of distance, topography and screening restrict visibility of the development over a wider area. significant effects are predicted for 11 out of 17 selected viewpoints. This includes those (within Moray) at Kerrow (viewpoint 3a), Braemoray (3b) and Aucheorn (9) where because of proximity to the site, the development (turbines and/or associated infrastructure) will be highly visible extending over the low profile of Cairn Duhie, appear large and prominent in views, and in some views the appearance of overlapping and irregular arrays of turbines (for example from Kerrow, Braemoray and Dava Junction (7)) cannot be avoided owing to on-site constraints. However, from Ferness (2) (approx. 1.5 km to closest turbine), views are not considered as significant with little or no visibility of turbines as a result of the existing landform and/or screening; significant (visual) effects are predicted at scattered/clusters of houses centred around the Edinkillie and Dava area owing to proximity and elevated open views (represented by views at Aucheoran (9)) and Dava (Dava Junction (7)); significant effects are predicted on 4 out of 11 routes assessed. This includes views from the sensitive tourists routes of A939 and A940 where turbines appear in prolonged views over open moorland or routes bordering, or in proximity to the site (for example, from viewpoints from A939 Dava (10) and Aitnoch (1), and from A940, Kerrow (3a)).

The ES and PS consider that significant landscape and visual impacts are inevitable as a result of commercial scale wind energy developments. However, through careful site selection criteria, account of landscape and visual sensitivities and an iterative design and layout process adopted to minimise environmental impacts (reducing the number and height of turbines from 30 to 20, and from 125 to 110 m respectively), the ES and PS do not consider that the proposal is unacceptable in both THC and TMC development plan terms, and this discrete grouping of turbines “fits” within the pattern of other existing turbine developments within a landscape which the applicant considers is capable of accommodating the development. Moreover, the PS considers the contribution towards national energy policy and targets and economic benefits to the local area outweigh any predicted significant landscape and visual effects.

Landscape and Visual effects upon the Moray landscape On 1 March 2013, TMC approved the use of its Supplementary Planning Guidance: Moray Onshore Wind Energy (MOWE) as a material consideration in determining wind energy proposals. The MOWE adopts a spatial framework based on turbine height and their relationship to identified landscape character types (LCTs).

Relative to the spatial framework, the development at Cairn Duhie would represent a large-scale typology, and there is no Area of Search located along the western boundary of the TMC area. The site is part of an Open Upland LCT designation which straddles the THC/TMC boundary and the Knock of Braemoray is a “landmark hill” (approx. 2.8 km to the east). The MOWE highlights two key considerations to be taken into account i.e. the need to maintain the distinctive western threshold to Moray experienced from the A940. protect the landmark hills and their setting Both the ES and PS acknowledge that significant adverse landscape and visual effects occur in relation to both of these considerations.

On 3 July 2012, TMC approved the MLCS as a material consideration in the determination of applications for wind energy proposals. The landscape and visual capacity for turbines is considered relative to identified LCTs which are based upon (and refine) LCTs identified in SNH's Moray and Nairn Landscape Assessment 1998. The sensitivity of each identified LCT to different types of turbine development is defined by reference to key landscape and visual characteristics, including cumulative landscape and visual effects. Prepared in partnership with SNH, the MLCS represents the most up-to-date landscape character assessment for Moray.

This site/proposal lies immediately west of TMC‟s Open Upland LCT, part of a more extensive area of uplands extending south and west into the adjoining THC area. From the earlier 1998 Assessment (by SNH), this LCT straddles the THC/TMC boundary. The higher hills on the south west boundary of this landscape character type are important in shielding views of the Paul‟s Hill wind farm from the A940 and the Lochindorb area, and limit cumulative impacts with the consented Berry Burn wind farm in views from the Dava Way. Within this LCT, the MLCS indicates that there is no scope to open up any new areas of development and opportunities for additional wind farm development are severely limited by key landscape and visual constraints and potential significant cumulative impacts associated with other operational and consented wind farm developments,.

The MLCS recognises the Knock of Braemoray as a “landmark hill”, which is considered to be highly sensitive to wind turbine development sited on or near it, as such development would be visually prominent in views from roads and settlements within adjacent well-settled landscapes and detract from its distinct form and character.

The MLCS recognises the strategic landscape importance of the A940 road as a key scenic approach to Moray. This route follows a densely wooded valley (within which some intermittent open spaces occur) which creates a distinctive and highly scenic approach and strongly contrasts with the road extending through the open expansiveness of Dava Moor. The MLCS also recognises that larger typologies within the western fringes of the Open Uplands LCT could significantly affect views from the A939. Potential cumulative impact issues include effects on views and the experience of using the Dava Way and the effects of multiple developments within this LCT, both in Moray and in the adjacent Highland Council area from the A940 and Lochindorb area.

Effects on the A940 approach to Moray from the south This proposal is located in a very open and highly visible location within the expansive Dava Moor. Both the A939 and A940 are recognised tourist routes which provide an attractive approach to Moray from the south through the expansive rolling heather moorland and regenerating native woodlands of Dava Moor which suddenly open up above the Findhorn Valley. The richly diverse vegetation cover of the moor and its sparsely settled and little modified character contribute to the distinct sense of wildness that can be experienced from these routes. The deep trough of the upper Dorback Burn, colonised by regenerating Scots pine and birch, and the pronounced steep-sided Knock of Braemoray are key features lying within Moray and seen from the A939 and A940. The open expanse of Dava Moor contrasts with the more enclosed woodlands and intimately scaled landscape of the Dorback and Findhorn valleys which lie further north into Moray and enrich the travelling experience. The proposed wind farm would introduce a highly visible, large scale man-made feature. It would be seen extensively across the Moor and in very close proximity to both these designated tourist routes either within approx. 1.5 km of the A940 at its closest point (above Kerrow) and/or where the A939 abuts its western boundary. The development would intrude into an area where currently there are no existing wind farm developments. Moreover, it would be seen to overwhelm and extend over the low profile of Cairn Duhie, and introduce large vertical element and movement in views especially when travelling north. Although a compact group, overlapping and irregularity occurs within its layout occurs and turbines and associated infrastructure including access tracks, etc. will be visible, for example where the A940 is elevated above the site. As such, the proposal will be highly visible and have a major and significant impact on views from the A939, A940 (between Dava and Dunphail) and from open sections of the Dava Way. This is demonstrated in the ES visualisations from viewpoints at Kerrow (3a), Aitnoch (4), Dava (7), Aucheorn (9) and A939 Dava (10) where the wind farm would be seen from between 1.7 km and 7.8 km distance. The landscape and visual impact assessment within the ES is robust in also concluding that effects on these viewpoints would be major and significant.

The ES also acknowledges the sequential cumulative impact experienced along the A940 and A939 where wind farms close to and at distance from that route are visible. Turbines visible from along the A940 where the development is located close to the route and the landmark hill would reinforce that experience and effect.

Given that a key strategic aim of the MOWE is to conserve the attractive approach experienced from the A940, the strong „sense of arrival‟ to Moray would be significantly diminished by this highly visible proposal.

Effects on the ‘landmark’ hill of Knock of Braemoray The proposal lies over the low conical hill of Cairn Duhie which lies close to Moray‟s boundaries. The site is located approx. 2.7 km from the Knock of Braemoray, which is a higher and more pronounced, steep-sided hill forming a highly visible and easily recognisable landmark seen extensively across Dava Moor and from the A939 and A940. A key strategic aim of the MOWE (and MLCS) is to protect this (and other) landmark hills and their setting. The strategy notes that wind farm development on or near these hills would be visually prominent and would detract from their distinct form and character.

In views from the A939 and A940, and from open sections of the Dava Way, the turbines would appear very large in relation to the Knock of Braemoray. The turbines when viewed from the south and travelling along the A939/A940 scenic/tourist route would be seen to intrude into views from within the Anaboard Burn valley or those framed between Hill of Aitnoch and Knock of Braemoray. The turbines would also been seen from other locations across Dava Moor and in relative close proximity to the latter landmark hill, with the turbines on Cairn Duhie also being closer to the Knock of Braemoray than other wind farm developments including that at Berry Burn. The resultant highly visible scale and proximity of the proposal would detract from, and diminish the prominence of this hill and its „landmark‟ status.

The ES also recognises that a significant effect that would occur on the Knock of Braemoray as a „landmark‟ hill in terms of an additional acknowledged significant cumulative effect of the development. Viewed from the summit of the Knock of Braemoray viewpoint, the panorama incorporates other wind farms not visible from A940 within THC to the west (at Farr and Tom na Clach) and TMC to the east (at Berry Burn and Paul‟s Hill, etc), the development would appear close to this landmark hill when compared to those other developments, and the turbines are introduced into another direction of view.

Other material considerations The PS considers that the development plan should not be the determining factor for the consenting process and significant support for the development can also be drawn from various material considerations including THC‟s Interim Supplementary Planning Guidance on Onshore Wind Energy (wherein the PS regards the development as supporting the locational suitability requirements of this guidance).

The PS makes no mention of TMC‟s MOWE and MLCS as a material consideration but the resultant significant adverse effects of this highly visible proposal would not be supported by these material considerations, and no (further) mitigation is proposed to address the identified significant impacts.

Other material considerations considered by the applicant to outweigh any identified significant adverse landscape and visual effects include reference to previous energy consent decisions where developments elsewhere have been supported in terms of their contribution towards another material consideration i.e. renewable energy targets and policy, and also by reference to the identified (economic) benefits of the development. The latter include diversification of energy supply; diversification of land-use (with land owner accruing benefits from rental incomes); increased business rate revenue; employment opportunities (direct, indirect and induced, including a temporary workforce of 36 FTEs and 1 – 2 part-time positions during operation and maintenance of the wind farm; a largely reversible development with a limited 25 year life; and measureable benefits to the community in terms of proposed community benefit and local electricity discount schemes.

EU, UK and Scottish Government targets and policies for renewable energy and climate change are considered by the applicant to form a compelling suite of material considerations and provide both the need case and support for the development. Whilst calculations are included to demonstrate the “significant” benefits in terms of CO2 emission savings over the lifetime of the development, the “significant” contribution to the Scottish and UK 2020 targets is not quantified in the PS.

Conclusion The applicant considers that the identified material considerations support rather than presume against the development and these outweigh any development plan and environmental effects. Notwithstanding these considerations, effects upon the local environment requires to be taken into account and should not be set aside.

This proposal is located in a highly sensitive landscape immediately adjacent to the Moray Development Plan boundary, on a key scenic approach and in close proximity to the landmark hill Knock of Braemoray. The landscape, defined as forming part of an „Open Uplands‟ LCT (1998 Assessment and MLCS refer) straddles the THC/TMC boundary and although this expansive and sparsely settled landscape could theoretically be more suited to accommodating large scale wind turbines, it also has an often complex landform, diverse land-cover and a distinct sense of naturalness and remoteness which are key constraints to this form of development. The presence of the nearby landmark hill, Knock of Braemoray additionally contributes to the high sensitivity of the proposed development site. The close proximity of this landscape to the A939 and A940 also increases the visual sensitivity of the proposed development site. This proposal would be widely seen and highly visible from these recognised tourist routes as they traverse the open Dava Moor and would significantly affect the approach to Moray (as also acknowledged by the ES).

As such it could be considered that relative to TMC‟s interests, the proposal would be inappropriately sited nor integrate sensitively within the Moray landscape in terms of it being highly visible and significantly (and adversely) affecting the key scenic western approach to Moray along the A940/A939 and the landmark hill, Knock of Braemoray.

The resultant major adverse and significant environmental effects on matters of key strategic landscape and visual interests would conflict with TMC‟s aims for renewable energy developments as identified in planning policy and associated guidance, and provide a basis to support an objection to the development.

MORAY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (extracts)

MORAY STRUCTURE PLAN 2007 Policy 2: Environment and Resources The Moray Structure Plan Strategy will be supported by: - l) promoting opportunities for the sensitive development of renewable energy and promoting renewable energy in new development;

MORAY LOCAL PLAN 2008 ER1: Renewable Energy Proposals Renewable energy proposals will be considered favourably where they meet the following criteria: a. they are compatible with policies to safeguard and enhance the built and natural environment b. they do not lead to the permanent loss or permanent damage to, prime agricultural land, c. they are compatible with tourism/recreational interest and facilities, they do not interfere with aircraft activity, d. they do not result in an unacceptable impact in terms of visual appearance, landscape character, noise, electro-magnetic disturbance, watercourse engineering, peat land hydrological impacts, pollution, traffic generation or damage to the local ecology, and e. they do not result in an unacceptable cumulative impact.

Proposals are required to provide “decommissioning arrangements” to illustrate how the site will be reinstated if and when the plant ceases to operate. This may be enforced through a section 75 agreement.

Commercial wind energy developments should be located within a Preferred Search area identified in the Wind Energy Policy Guidance and meet the above criteria.