Proposed Moorhouse Farmers Windfarm - Renfrewshire Council

Pre-Application Consultation Report
2 PAC ACTIVITIES
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter outlines the key information relating to the proposals and the
consultation activities which were undertaken.
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT
2.2.1 Introduction
Coriolis Energy LLP is developing proposals on behalf of Falck Renewables for
Moorhouse Farmers Windfarm. The windfarm is based on an area of farmland to
the west of Eaglesham and some eight kilometres (km) south west of Glasgow,
between the M77 and the B764 (NGR NS 527 507) 6 (see Figure 2.1 7 ).
The anticipated potential capacity of the windfarm is estimated to be 47.5 MW with
19, 2-3 MW turbines. Coriolis Energy first began to research the site in 2007 and
appointed a team of environmental consultants to undertake the environmental
work for the project in April 2008.
Falck Renewables Plc 8 , a subsidiary of the Falck Group, entered into a joint
development agreement with Coriolis Energy in early 2007 in which Coriolis
Energy agreed to develop projects for Falck and Falck agreed to fund
development and to build and operate projects when consented.
2.2.2 Key Components of the Proposals
The key components of the proposals are:
19 wind turbines;
up to three permanent anemometer masts;
a permanent access route into the site from the B764;
access tracks and underground cabling within the site;
an on-site control building including the electrical sub-station; and
associated communications and other infrastructure.
A plan of the proposals is shown in Figure 2.1.
2.2.3 The Proposed Site
The proposed site is set on the gentle hills between the A77 to the west, A726 to
the north and B764 to the south east. Eastwood Golf Course lies to the north west
of the site with Bonnyton Golf Course situated to the east. The village of
Eaglesham is situated approximately 2km to the east of the site with the southern
edges of Newton Mearns lying some 3km to the north of the site.
The site area itself includes various scattered residential properties. There is one
small area of woodland, Long Wood, adjacent the north east boundary of the site
and other areas of plantation close by. There are various existing farm tracks
throughout the site, which connect properties to fields and reservoirs. The site is
drained by a series of small burns, some of which drain into Lochcraig Reservoir
6
NB This grid reference is an approximate centre point of the site
7
Please note that the windfarm layout that was consulted on (which is provided in Annex B - Information Board 7)
differed to the final layout as shown in Figure 2.1
8
Falck Renewables builds and operates windfarms and is active in the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France,
with approximately 320 MW in operation or construction. These generate electricity from a renewable source, the
wind, and compared to conventional fuels provide a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of approximately
1 million tonnes annually
Natural Capital Ltd 5 Falck Renewables