Latest news with #EnergyConsentsUnit
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Recall sought on 'huge' battery storage plant near Clydebank
Scottish Ministers gave the go-ahead for a 560MW site covering 29 hectares on Whitehall Farm this week, causing uproar in the local community. A Facebook titled 'Save Our Countryside - Cochno Road' was set up shortly after the proposals were first announced, which has gained more than 1,000 members opposing the plans. Now, local MP, Douglas McAllister, has written to the Cabinet Secretary of Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin, and Ivan McKee, Minister of Public Finance, to recall their decision. In the letter, Mr McAllister wrote: "The level of objection by the community of West Dunbartonshire is based on the sheer size and scale of this potential development, described as one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The application site is the wrong location; it is too close in proximity to the heavily populated residential area of Faifley. The Scottish Government, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire local authority, has recently invested in excess of £35 million, completing a community education campus in Faifley due to be open in the autumn of this year. This proposed BESS application is in close proximity to that. In the letter, he said: "It is incredibly disappointing that at a time when the local community is celebrating the largest capital investment since the construction of Faifley, that at the same time, the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit has consented to such a significant unwelcome construction. "In all the circumstances, I respectfully submit that consenting to this application is inappropriate, and therefore I formally request, as the Member of Parliament for West Dunbartonshire, that Scottish Ministers give consideration to calling in the application outcome by the Energy Consents Unit to review matters." Examining the cup and ring markings at Whitehill 4, this, and three others in the small hazel woodland, are less than 20m from the perimeter of the development. (Image: Kat Jones) Meanwhile, Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) is calling for the reconsideration of planning policy surrounding the battery site after seven, including the Whitehall Farm, were approved. Dr Kat Jones, Director of APRS, said: "It is shocking that a site with such important archaeological and natural heritage, and of such importance for local people and visitors, can get permission for a huge and damaging battery storage facility. If this site can get permission for battery storage, then nowhere is safe.
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Glen Lednock windfarm opponents submit 41-page objection
The Save Glen Lednock document includes concerns on access, traffic and transport, ecology, cultural heritage, noise and vibration. Campaigners opposed to a controversial windfarm in a scenic Perthshire glen have lodged a 41-page objection to the scheme. The Comrie-based Save Glen Lednock group - who have described the proposed scheme as a 'destructive industrial project' – submitted their objection to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit (ECU) just hours before Monday's deadline (July 21). Renewable energy company Low Carbon, is aiming to build 19 turbines with blade tips extending as high as 200m, on land within Invergeldie Estate. It is expected to generate approximately 342,600 MWh of electricity per year or the equivalent of the annual electricity requirement of more than 100,000 households. Save Glen Lednock campaigners say those living near the windfarm – as well as businesses and residents in Comrie and Crieff, and rare birds including golden eagles - will all suffer as a result of the scheme. The Save Glen Lednock submission lodged this week includes objections on access, traffic and transport, ecology, cultural heritage, noise and vibration and national planning policy. Objector Alastair Forsyth said: 'This development has the potential to have very negative impacts on many people's lives, not just those who live in Glen Lednock, but also well beyond – with hundreds of additional vehicles for the construction phase, including many lorries, travelling daily along the A85 through Comrie and Crieff to the A9 at Perth.' The campaigners also highlighted that they only had six weeks to digest 293 documents detailing the plans. Mr Forsyth added: 'The developer has had years to put together this mass of documentation, yet concerned citizens of Strathearn, and visitors who value the tranquillity and beauty of Glen Lednock, have had just weeks to make sense of the 3,000 pages of documentation that were submitted by Low Carbon in support of their application.' A Low Carbon spokesperson said this week: 'The final design for the Glen Lednock Wind Farm has been shaped by extensive pre-application consultation with the local community and we are grateful for the input from residents, community councils and other organisations that took time to attend our public exhibitions and other events over the past two years and shared their views with us. Low Carbon has also undertaken a programme of survey and assessment over several years to inform our Glen Lednock Wind Farm application, which is in line with good practice guidance from the Scottish Government. This includes an assessment of the project's alignment with National Planning Framework 4 policy tests. 'Furthermore, the application sets out how Low Carbon will provide the equivalent of £5,000 per MW of installed generating capacity annually into a community benefit fund every year. 'This equates to £589,000 per annum or £23.6million (2025 prices) for local communities around Glen Lednock over the proposed 40-year operational life of the project.' Windfarm backers Low Carbon and opponents Save Glen Lednock have clashed over a number of issues. Developers Low Carbon last week disputed the campaigners' assertion of 400 lorry movements per day during construction of the windfarm. However, campaigners pointed to Low Carbon's own Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) to support their assertion. These figures itemise a seven-month peak daily traffic figure of 392 accounting for 251 large good vehicles (LGV) and 140 heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and one HGV articulated lorry. Heavy goods vehicles and large goods vehicles both have a gross weight exceeding 3500kg. Low Carbon also took issue with campaigners' mention of a new eight mile access road. However, the EIRC states: 'The Access Route Area to the Turbine Development Area would be approximately 12,687m (eight miles) in length, via the existing A85 bellmouth to the east of Comrie and along a series of access tracks, both existing and newly constructed comprising 'a number of localised upgrades to approximately 8,528m (5.29 miles) of existing tracks; and approximately 4,158m (2.58 miles) of new track. Another issue of contention is the impact the turbines would have on wild birds including golden eagles. Low Carbon point out research contained in their EIRC comprises a 'comprehensive assessment of disturbance and displacement of bird species, including golden eagle, [and] concludes that there will be no significant displacement' [by wind turbines]. However, Save Glen Lednock point to a collison risk estimate table in the Low Carbon report. Campaigner Alastair Forsyth said: 'What is shocking is the predicted mortality of birds of prey caused by collisions with wind turbines over the 40 year operational predicted life of the turbines. 'To be clear a collision equals a dead bird. 'For golden eagle Low Carbon estimate that this would equal approximately 12 birds in 40 years.'
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross Council decides not to object to 100MW energy plant
The application will be determined by the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit due to its size Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has not objected to a proposed 100MW energy plant near Coupar Angus. The proposed electricity generation station at Kettins would be situated on 4.2 hectares of farmland currently used for crops. PKC's Planning and Placemaking Committee was asked on Wednesday June 11 to consider the application, submitted to the Scottish Government due to its size. In December 2024 Cogeo Planning and Environmental Services Ltd submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government, on behalf of Merseyside-based Balance Power Projects Ltd to build and operate the proposed electricity generating station. The application site, referred to as Hallyburton BESS, sits within the Hallyburton Estate, Kettins. Planning applications for battery energy storage systems which are 50MW or higher require approval from Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit consulted PKC on the proposed development on land 260m south east of Colbeggie Farm Cottage, Kettins. The footprint of the built area would be 1.3 hectares - just smaller than the combined size of two football pitches. The built site would include: 28 battery blocks - with each block containing four battery containers; 28 inverter and transformer units; two auxiliary transformers; two control room and welfare units; two private substations; two storage rooms and two district network operator (DNO) rooms. The development would also include access, lighting, security fencing, drainage and acoustic fencing. The site is currently being used for crops and sits within an agricultural rural landscape of Coupar Angus bounded by hedgerows and post and wire fencing. Last week, PKC's Planning and Placemaking Committee was asked to consider whether or not to object to the application. If PKC had objected, it would have triggered the requirement for a public inquiry to be held to consider the application. The committee's convener SNP councillor Ian Massie put forward a motion not to object to the application. It was seconded by Conservative councillor David Illingworth. Conservative councillor Ian James raised concern "it was too large" and "on a prime agricultural site". Cllr Bob Brawn agreed but the pair were unable to table an amendment -to oppose the application - which was deemed legally competent. National planning policy does allow for energy developments to be built on prime agricultural land. The report of handling - put before councillors - said: "...the global/local need for energy is outweighed by the small loss of land proposed for this development. Furthermore, the site has been designed so the land is minimally disturbed." And councillors were told there was nothing to show the plant was taking more land than required for 100MW. The committee agreed to uphold planners' recommendation not to object to the application.
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Plans lodged with Scottish Government for 100,000-panel solar farm near Forfar
Detailed plans have been submitted to the Scottish Government for a 100,000-panel solar farm west of Forfar. The Cossans scheme would generate enough electricity to power 16,500 homes a year. Its developers also want to include up to 50MW of battery energy storage on the site near Glamis Castle. Proposals for the major development were first revealed last year. Perthshire-based BLC Energy has now lodged a Section 36 consent application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. It is one of two solar and BESS farm applications the company is seeking approval for in Angus and Fife. The other is a similar-sized project at West Springfield, near Cupar. If consented, the Cossans scheme would connect to the grid at Lunanhead, east of Forfar. BLC says it will now continue consultation with local communities following public engagement events earlier this year. It is aiming for a grid connection within the next five years. BLC Energy managing director Neil Lindsay said: 'We've now submitted 200MW of projects into the Scottish planning system, with another 200MW planned before the end of the year. 'Our relationships with landowners, commitment to meaningful community consultation and expertise in the technology mean we have an excellent pipeline of projects. 'For the Cossans project, we are aiming for a pre-2030 connection.' Mr Lindsay said that will be decided through the ongoing UK grid reform process. It involves a shift from a 'first come, first served' approach to a 'first ready, first connected' system for grid connections. The aim is to prioritise projects strategically aligned with the government's clean energy goals. The company also revealed its hopes for how a £25,000-a-year community fund could be used over the 40-year lifetime of the project. Mr Lindsay added: 'We believe the communities around these sites should decide how the money is best spent. 'For some, that might be a trust that provides money towards winter fuel bills or retrofitting energy-saving measures in homes. 'For others, it might be funding apprenticeships or investing in community facilities.' Both projects are owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO Power is owned and funded by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN) and part of the Octopus Energy Group. The Cossans project website is at
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
19-turbine Comrie windfarm plans lodged as nearby 'energy park' talks open
Plans for a 19-turbine windfarm near Comrie have gone to the Scottish Government for approval. The Glen Lednock turbines would stand 200 metres tall at their tips. The company behind them, Low Carbon, has lodged an application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. The turbines are part of a larger 'rewilding' strategy being led by Invergeldie Estate owners Oxygen Conservation. It comes as developers prepare to consult locals on another major renewables project at Fowlis Wester, on the other side of Crieff. The plans for the Meallbrodden 'energy park' on the Abercairney Estate include eight 200-metre turbines, 60,000 solar panels and battery storage units. Low Carbon says it has 'actively engaged' with residents in St Fillans and Comrie since the Glen Lednock windfarm project went public in November 2023. Craig Cunningham, the company's senior project development manager, says the goal is to achieve 'carbon payback' in less than a year and a half, after which the turbines should begin to make a net positive contribution to reducing carbon emissions. 'The final design has been shaped by a significant amount of site survey work as well as extensive consultation with the local community,' he added. Low Carbon says it will put £5,000 for every megawatt of energy generated by the Glen Lednock turbines into a community benefit fund every year. This could add up to £589,000 a year to be spent on local projects. The full application, including an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and supporting documents, can be viewed here or on the Scottish Government's Energy Consents website. Consultation sessions for the Meallbrodden project will be held in Fowlis Wester Village Hall on June 18 from 4-8pm, and at Strathearn Community Campus, Crieff, on June 19 from 4-8pm. It is being spearheaded by Eurowind Energy Ltd. And due to its size, it will also be decided by the Scottish Government, rather than Perth and Kinross Council. The Danish company says its community benefit fund could provide up to £280,000 a year for local projects. But critics say the moorland site, which includes a loch, stone circles, standing stones, Roman remains, ancient forest and native species, is not suitable. And they have raised concerns about the cumulative impact of renewable energy projects across the area.
