Supporting documents - Renfrewshire Council

© Green Cat Renewables Ltd
GLENLORA WIND TURBINE
Wind turbines provide a source of income whilst coexisting with the previous farming
practices, arable or pastoral. Organisations such as the NFU “are in favour of the use of
renewable energy and see wind farming, and other types of renewable energy such as
energy crops, as an opportunity for farmers”.
1.1.4 Noise
Wind turbines, by their very nature, do generate some noise, mostly from the blades
passing through the air. However, the level of noise is often exaggerated in the press
and by those opposed to wind energy. It is because of this that people are usually
surprised at how quiet modern wind turbines are, when they visit them. It is useful to
consider the low noise levels attributable to modern wind turbines at the sorts of
distances separating nearest residential properties and wind turbines ‐ usually at least
400m. This is illustrated in the Table 1.1.1 below:
Source / Activity Indicative noise level (decibels – dBA)
Threshold of pain 140
Jet aircraft at 250m 105
Pneumatic drill at 7m 95
Truck at 30mph at 100m 65
Busy general office 60
Car at 40mph at 100m 55
Wind farm at 350m 35‐45
Quiet bedroom 35
Rural night‐time background 20‐40
Threshold of hearing 0
Table 1.1.1 – Typical Noise Levels
Planning Advice Note 45 (revised 2002) – “Renewable Energy Technologies”
1.1.5 Wind Energy in Renfrewshire
Although Renfrewshire Council do not currently have a Renewable Energy Strategy; in
February 2007 the Council made a commitment with councils across Scotland to
reduce the effects of climate change. The Council has signed the Scottish Climate
Change Declaration which brings together the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities,
Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Executive in a commitment to work with
others to lessen the effects of climate change.
The site is located within the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Belt and the Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park which are subject to specific planning and development
policies. Based on the above policy context, we believe that it is demonstrated in the
following sections that this single turbine project is appropriate to the location and
that its nature and advantages would outweighs a continued protection of the private
estate that it is situated in.
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