Energy firm to hold Lybster exhibition over bid for 200m Golticlay turbines
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An energy company will hold a public exhibition in Lybster this month to outline its plans to substantially increase the height of turbines at the planned Golticlay wind farm.
At the same time, RWE Renewables UK Onshore Wind will run a virtual consultation room to let residents know why it wants a "more flexible design".
Earlier this week, concerns were raised by local woman Jo Bowd after it emerged that RWE is seeking to raise the maximum blade-tip height of the 19 consented Golticlay turbines from 130 to 200 metres.
The site is directly across from Miss Bowd's cottage at Roster, north of Lybster, and she declared: "These turbines are going to be seen from most of Caithness. They are going to be massive."
RWE's scoping report also proposes a longer operational period for the wind farm of 35 years, as opposed to 25 years for the consented scheme.
Meanwhile, campaign group Scotland Against Spin warned that extending the height of the Golticlay turbines will cause "increased visual impact over a much greater distance" as aviation lights will be needed.
Highland Council objected to Golticlay in 2017, saying it would have "a significantly detrimental visual impact on the Caithness landscape". A public inquiry was held the following year.
The application was granted in March 2021, having been dealt with by Scottish ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 relating to onshore developments above 50 megawatts.
A spokesperson for RWE said: "Golticlay onshore wind farm submitted its planning application in 2016.
"However, the renewables industry has changed substantially since then. Wind turbine technology has advanced since the original design in 2016.
"The turbine dimensions of the consented project are becoming outdated, making them difficult to source. Therefore, in order to keep the project viable, a more flexible design is required which will be sought via a variation to the original planning consent.
"Further environmental assessments are under way and will feed into the variation application that local residents will be able to view once it is submitted later this year.
"It is important to RWE that local opinions are heard and taken on board. As such, RWE is holding a public exhibition on March 15 (2pm to 7pm) at Lybster Bowling Club. A virtual consultation room will also be available online from March 15 for local residents to view at their leisure."
A spokesperson for Scotland Against Spin said: "We are not surprised to hear about this proposal for a variation in blade-tip height and operating period. It is common practice amongst developers to apply for turbines of a smaller height, fully aware that once planning permission is granted, it will be easier to obtain consent for much larger and intrusive turbines which would otherwise generate more objections from the outset.
"As these proposed turbines will exceed 150m, it means they will require aviation lights, causing increased visual impact over a much greater distance. As the blades pass in front of the lights it causes night-time flicker which often results in complaints from residents and is a source of driver distraction.
"Scotland Against Spin’s current petition to the Scottish Parliament seeks to increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore wind farms. We have requested, among other things, that all wind farm applications must have community support in order to be successful and that decision-making responsibility, irrespective of the size of the proposal, lie with the local authority instead of Scottish ministers.
"As the Scottish Government aspires to give local communities a greater say in the planning process and a greater influence on the future of development in their local area, we would expect this petition to be successful.
"We hope this gives some hope to the many communities who are exhausted and distressed by the constant fight to stop their homes being surrounded by wind turbines with an ever-increasing tip height."
Miss Bowd pointed out that raising the blade-tip height to 200m would make the turbines only 30m shorter than the Rumster transmitter.
