Site visit decision on Scapa turbine

Members of Orkney Islands Council’s planning committee are to visit the location of a proposed wind turbine at Upper Scapa Farm, St Ola.

The members opted for a site visit at this morning’s meeting of the the committee, where they heard that there were two letters of objections to the proposed 20kW, 22m turbine.

Both the applicant, Mr Alan Moar, and one of the objectors, Mr Murray Sinclair, spoke at the meeting.

The objections were based on cumulative impact, with there being several other turbines in the area, one of which is owned by Mr Moar, and also distraction from flashing blades.

However, the report from the council’s planning officers found that the objections “were not of sufficient weight” to override the council’s policy on renewable energy developments, and were recommending it be approved.

With the matter coming to a vote, six councillors voted for a site visit and four voted to approve the application.