by EWAN LAMB
The company fronting a controversial multi-million pound wind farm with 45 turbines has rejected a request from Scottish Borders Council planners for a fifth time extension to allow councillors to decide on a planning application.
Community Wind Power Ltd (CWP) submitted their proposals for the huge Faw Side facility in South Roxburghshire and part of Dumfriesshire in May 2019.
According to the applicants the proposed development will employ the latest modern wind turbine technology to create an optimised, efficient and productive site.
"As a result, Faw Side Community Wind Farm would contribute towards achieving Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets by producing enough electricity to power 343,000 homes annually and would offset over 558,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum which equates to 22.3 million tonnes during its 40-year operational life - compared to fossil fuel mixed electricity generation."
However there have been strong objections on environmental grounds with claims the erection of turbines of up to 200 metres in height would have a devastating impact in an unspoilt corner of Scotland. The decision on whether the project should proceed lies with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit (ECU) following an inquiry. Scottish Ministers will receive a recommendation.
The attitude of councillors in Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway is regarded as an important factor in the decision making process. But so far the Borders planning department has been unable to formulate a recommendation for elected members as assessments continue.
The council file on Faw Side shows a decision was originally anticipated in September 2019, but the time frame was extended to November. A subsequent request to delay again until February 2020 was approved by CWP.
But in December 2019 the local planners told the ECU they did not have the capacity to get Faw Side determined in the following February. They asked for a delay until June 29th. Then, when additional information requested by SBC had not been received agreement was eventually reached for a further extension of the consultation period to November/December.
In an email to CWP and the ECU in November, Scott Shearer, of the Borders planning section wrote: "Our current PPA [Planning Performance Agreement] targeted SBC to determine their recommendation for this proposal at our December Planning and Building Standards Committee. We have been preparing for this however unfortunately I am yet to receive formal consultation response from our Landscape and Archaeology advisors.
"Landscape and Archaeological impacts are key considerations for this proposed development therefore without the advice from our specialist officers I am not in a position to complete a recommendation for our elected Members at the December P&BS Committee. I apologise of the delay this has caused however this is an significant proposal within the Southern Borders and we need to ensure that it is given a full and complete assessment. This therefore leads me to seek for an extension of our processing time and accounting for the Christmas/new year holidays, determination at our February committee meeting may be most suitable".
But in a response, Gillian Cropper, of CWP, told Mr Shearer: "I am emailing to confirm that we will not be accepting your request for an extension until 3rd February 2021 to consider the application for Faw Side Community Wind Farm. As discussed, this is not to be difficult in any way as we have actively engaged with each other since the submission of the application back in May 2019.
"The decision not to agree any further requests is purely because the application is going to head into an inquiry in any event as there are outstanding objections from other statutory consultees and therefore we want the ECU to start preparing for that now rather than later. We fully expect you will get the chance to submit your report and the view of the Council, as we are sure the Scottish Ministers will request this, however we just want to get the process started. As discussed, we are still willing to answer any questions you may have on the proposal and work with you to complete your report on Faw Side."
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