New wind turbine permission set to be renewed despite objections

PERMISSION for a new wind turbine in Neilston is set to be renewed despite objections from residents.

Harelaw Wind Turbine Ltd wants to erect a 50-metre high turbine at Harelaw Wood to the south of Kingston Road.

It had been granted permission for an “identical development” in 2015, but that consent lapsed and a new application was submitted in 2018.

A decision has been delayed while a noise complaint was assessed and council officials have reported any noise issues “can be addressed by the provision of appropriate conditions”.

Ten objectors raised a number of concerns over the plan, including noise and visual impact, the loss of trees and overprovision of turbines in East Renfrewshire.

However, planning officials have recommended the project should be approved.

A council report stated the proposed turbine has “not altered from the original application” and will be “of the typical three-blade type with a 50m hub height, 77m high to blade tip”.

It would have a generating capacity of approximately 500kW and an operational life of 25 years, the report added.

One objector said noise guidance for onshore wind farms is “outdated” having been published in 1996 and is under review.

They added: “Many people around the world have been subjected to the horrors of living with excessive wind turbine noise, disturbing their sleep, causing stress and in some cases leaving them unable to sell their homes.”

Another objector said the turbine will “undoubtedly cause some level of annoyance for nearby residents ranging from annoyed to very annoyed”.

“Thus this turbine will cause sleep deprivation and be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of nearby residents. There is no headroom for any more turbines.”

However, planning officials reported that by approving plans in 2014, the council has “already determined that in principle this turbine is acceptable”. On overprovision, they stated referring to the total number of turbines “is considered to be an oversimplification” and “not all turbines in East Renfrewshire can be viewed all at one time”.

Officials added “the landscape is capable of accommodating this turbine”.

The report stated the review of noise guidance from 1996 is “some time away and it remains in place as a valid tool in the consideration of this type of development”.

“The updated noise assessment has been examined by the council’s environmental health service and conditions have been recommended to reduce any noise impact on any nearby dwellings,” it added.

Felling of some trees, to make way for the turbine, was “necessary to provide cleared site access track”, officials reported, and the applicant has “agreed to undertake new planting”.

“It is considered that the impact on any trees in this case is not sufficient to merit refusal of this application,” they added.

Officials concluded the “turbine can be erected on the proposed site with no significant detriment to the landscape value of the area and any potential noise issues can be addressed by the provision of appropriate conditions”.

Councillors on the planning committee will meet this afternoon to decide whether permission should be granted.

CREDIT: DCMS