Glenmount Wind Farm - South Ayrshire Council

THE ELECTRICITY WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT)
(SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2000
SCOPING OPINION FOR THE PROPOSED GLENMOUNT WIND FARM,
SOUTH WEST OF DALMELLINGTON
1. Introduction
Any proposal to construct or operate a power generation scheme with a
capacity in excess of 50 megawatts requires Scottish Ministers’ consent
under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
Schedule 9 of the Act places on the applicant a duty to “have regard to the
desirability of preserving the natural beauty of the countryside, of conserving
flora, fauna and geological and physiological features of special interest and
of protecting sites, buildings and objects of architectural, historic or
archaeological interest”. In addition, the applicant is required to give
consideration to National Planning Framework 2, Scottish Planning Policy,
Planning Advice Notes, the relevant planning authority’s Development Plans
and any relevant supplementary guidance.
Under the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(Scotland)(EIA) Regulations 2000, the Scottish Ministers are required to
consider whether any proposal for a wind farm is likely to have a significant
effect on the environment. In terms of these Regulations, we must consult the
planning authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency and other relevant consultees.
2. Aim Of This Scoping Opinion
Scottish Ministers are obliged under the EIA regulations to respond to
requests from applicants for a scoping opinion on outline design proposals.
The purpose of this document is to provide advice and guidance to applicants
which has been collated from expert consultees whom the Scottish
Government has consulted. It should provide clear advice from consultees
and enable applicants to address the issues they have identified and address
these in the EIA process and the Environmental Statement associated with
the application for Section 36 consent.
3. Land Use Planning
The Scottish Government’s planning policies are set out in the National
Planning Framework, Scottish Planning Policy, Designing Places and
Circulars.
The National Planning Framework is the Scottish Government’s Strategy for
Scotland’s long term spatial development.
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