Turbine
An important document has just been issued by East Lothian Council on proposed wind turbine planning restrictions – “East Lothian Supplementary Landscape Capacity Study for Smaller Wind Turbines”. It is a consultation public process running from 26/09/2011 to 24/10/2011 – full copies are available at reception at John Muir House, or for download at www.eastlothian.gov.uk/renewableenergy . You can provide feeback directly to ELC but we would encourage members to feedback views to Colin Bloomfield or Fiona Amos, as CNS has been asked to comment, being one of many interested organisations that may be affected by these proposals. Click here to view the relevant maps of interest to CNS with this update.
In summary, there are:
a) ‘exclusion zones’ for development for sensitive areas such as Pressmennan and Traprain
b) 4-5 different development types depending on turbine size, measured to the turbine rotor tip (so not the mast height)
c) Allowed development areas near Stenton which are limited to 2 heights (see maps 1, 2 & 3)
d) The first ‘allowed’ height is up to 20m if visually associated with farms, dwellings or buildings – , so this covers small turbines up to 15-20kW a bit like the one at East Linton which is between 15 and 20m.
e) The second consideration is for turbines up to 42 m high (so maybe up to about 250kW) where there are limited planning opportunities subject to detailed design and impact studies to support the application (this would be the type of turbine category we would wish to install).
View Map1, Map 2 and Map 3 here.
To put all this in context, CNS’s first application (now withdrawn) was for an Enercon E-33 which measured 67m to the turbine tip, and so would not be able to meet any of these proposed new conditions on height or location meet any of these proposed new conditions on height or location.
As stated in previous newsletters your Board is in early stage discussions regarding acceptable alternative sites to our first application.
We would ask members to feedback views to Colin Bloomfield or Fiona Amos by 16/10/2011 or directly as an individual to ELC.
