Objections expected for Kilpatrick Hills wind farm plans
The plans, created by Vale of Leven Wind Farm Limited, were previously considered by the council's planning committee last August where members agreed to issue a consultation response to the Scottish Government.
Scottish Ministers have received an application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction and operation of a wind farm and BESS, as the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit processes applications like this.
In previously considering the proposal, West Dunbartonshire Council highlighted that wind farms have the potential to impact on a wide range of features.
Officials now consider that the development would have a significant and adverse impact on the local landscape as well as the visual amenity of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the Loch Lomond National Scenic Area, and the Kilpatrick Hills Local Landscape Area.
Despite West Dunbartonshire Council believing that the potential development would not have a significant detrimental effect on the surrounding area, it does maintain there could be a negative impact on the nearby scheduled monument of Dumbarton Castle/Rock which it has deemed unacceptable.
There are also concerns that the proposal has the potential to impact biodiversity matters including the designated sites, habitat, peatland, ecology and protected species, with a variety of habitats impacted including blanket bog and wet modified bog.
The committee's findings have now been finalised in a report and will be presented to members of the planning committee next week.
If agreed, the updated response to the consultation, where the council maintains its objection, will be submitted to Scottish Ministers.
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