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North Lowther Energy Initiative: Planning Statement

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North Lowther Energy Initiative: Planning Statement North Lowther Energy Initiative: Planning Statement May 2017 Preface This Planning Statement accompanies an Environmental Statement (ES) which has been prepared in support of an application for Section 36 consent under the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate a 35 turbine windfarm known as North Lowther Energy Initiative (‘the Development’). The Development is located within the Queensberry Estate, approximately 5km south of Crawfordjohn, 2km north-east of Sanquhar and west of Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway. The ES comprises the following documents: Volume I: Written Text and Figures Volume II (Part 1): LVIA Visualisations Volume II (Part 2): LVIA Visualisations Volume II (Part 3): LVIA and Cultural Heritage Visualisations Volume III: Appendices The ES has been prepared by LUC on behalf of NLEI Ltd. In addition, the ES is accompanied by other standalone reports, including a Non-Technical Summary, Design and Access Statement and Pre-Application Consultation Report. Copies of the full ES and accompanying documents, or further information on the Development may be obtained from NLEI Ltd (telephone 01475 749 950/ email [email protected]). The Non-Technical Summary is available free of charge. A hard copy of the ES and accompanying documents are available for a cost of £1,100. In addition, all documents are available in an electronic format (as PDFs for screen viewing only) on CD/DVD for £10. The ES and accompanying documents are available for viewing by the public during normal opening hours at the following locations: Dumfries and Galloway Museum of Lead Mining Sanquhar Dumfries and Council Visitor Centre Galloway Customer Services Council Headquarters Wanlockhead 100 High Street 109-115 English Street ML12 6UT Sanquhar Dumfries DG4 6DZ DG1 2DD Tel: 01659 74387 Tel: 01659 50347 Tel: 0303 333 3000 Monday to Sunday – 11am to 4:30pm Monday – 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday - 10am to Tuesday – Closed 4pm Wednesday – 10am to 4pm Saturday – Closed Thursday – 10am to 1pm Sunday – Closed Friday – 2pm to 7pm Saturday – Closed Sunday – Closed The Environmental Statement can also be viewed at the Scottish Government Library at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. on the application website at http://northlowther.co.uk/resources; or at www.energyconsents.scot. Any representations to the application may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot/Register.aspx or by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at [email protected] or alternatively, by post to: The Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, All representations should identify the proposal and specify the grounds for representations and should be received not later than 23rd July 2017, although Ministers may consider representations received after this date. North Lowther Energy Initiative Planning Statement Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Site Location and Description ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 The Development ............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 The Developer and Project Background............................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Structure of Planning Statement ........................................................................................................................ 6 2 The Statutory Framework ...................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Statutory Duties ................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.3 The Role of the Development Plan .................................................................................................................... 8 3 Development Plan Policy Appraisal ................................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Development Plan Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 10 3.3 Local Development Plan Policies ..................................................................................................................... 14 3.4 General LDP Policies ...................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5 Renewable Energy Policies ............................................................................................................................. 15 3.6 Supplementary Guidance – Part 1 ................................................................................................................... 33 3.7 The Approach to Landscape Capacity Studies ................................................................................................. 34 3.8 Other Landscape Policies in the LDP .............................................................................................................. 36 3.9 Peat and Carbon Rich Soil .............................................................................................................................. 37 3.10 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology .................................................................................................................. 38 3.11 Ornithology and Nature Conservation .............................................................................................................. 39 3.12 Forestry .......................................................................................................................................................... 39 3.13 Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geology and Soils .................................................................................................. 40 3.14 Transport and Access ..................................................................................................................................... 44 3.15 Development Plan Policy Assessment Conclusions ......................................................................................... 47 4 National Planning Policy and Guidance ............................................................................................................ 48 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 48 4.2 The National Planning Framework 3 ................................................................................................................ 48 4.3 Scottish Planning Policy .................................................................................................................................. 49 4.4 Scottish Government Advice Notes and Renewables Guidance ....................................................................... 56 4.5 Emerging Development Plan and Updated Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance .......................................... 57 4.6 Conclusions on National Planning Policy & Guidance ...................................................................................... 58 5 The Renewable Energy Policy Framework ........................................................................................................ 59 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 59 5.2 International Policy Considerations .................................................................................................................. 59 5.3 United Kingdom Energy Policy ........................................................................................................................ 60 5.4 Scottish Government Policy and Renewable Energy Generation Targets.......................................................... 62 5.5 Progress to the Scottish 2015 and 2020 Targets .............................................................................................. 65 5.6 The Scottish Government Climate Change Plan (2017).................................................................................... 67 5.7 The Draft Scottish Energy Strategy (2017) ....................................................................................................... 69 5.8 The Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2017....................................................................................................... 70 5.9 Conclusion on Renewable Energy Policy ........................................................................................................
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