Green light for Stromness turbine

Plans for a 15kW, 21-metre-high wind turbine at Cauldhame, Stromness, were approved by the OIC’s planning committee yesterday, Wednesday.

There was one objection — that the turbine would have a harmful visual impact on both the National Scenic Area and World Heritage Site and would, therefore, not comply with the relevant development plan policy and be inconsistent with the previous refusal of planned turbines at Merranblo.

Sympathising with the objector, Councillor Owen Tierney said that the council, more than ever, needed to use its best judgement on whether there were now too many turbines in some places in Orkney.

Councillor James Stockan called the decision to be deferred for a site visit but Councillor Graham Sinclair said that given that there were no objections from nearby residents and statutory bodies that the development be approved.

The proposal to grant permission was then granted by eight votes to two.