Published: Thursday, 18th February, 2010 7:05am

Applause as Saline wind farm is turned down

by Matt Meade

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COUNCILLORS have refused to grant a controversial wind farm application that would have had an "overbearing impact" on Saline residents.

Around 60 campaigners burst into applause at Inverkeithing's Civic Centre yesterday (Wednesday) when members of the South West Fife area committee rejected the scheme unanimously.

They agreed with a Fife Council report that said the five huge turbines based just two kilometres away from 200 houses would have had an adverse effect on the landscape and appearance of the area, people's health and even cause problems for Edinburgh Airport, with the turbines being visible on their radar.

The result was welcomed by members of the Saline Community Against These Turbines (SCATT), many of whom arrived with placards stating 'Say no to turbines: too big and too close to Saline'.

The group had campaigned rigorously against the proposal, garnering support from PM Gordon Brown, local MP Willie Rennie, all local community councils and highlighting 282 individual objections to the scheme.

After the meeting, Gareth Turner, SCATT secretary, said, "We've carried out a lot of research and tried to keep emotion out of the procedures.

"There is a place for wind energy but not here for the reasons quoted in the report.

"It's the right result for the right reasons and we're delighted."

SCATT member Jan Pye added, "After we saw the planners' report we would've been stunningly disappointed if the application was passed.

"It was so definitive and we had done a lot of work to provide them with information beforehand and that was mentioned in the meeting.

"I've just texted (SCATT chair) Sheila Travers who's in New Zealand visiting her daughter - she will be thrilled."

The Fife Council report recommended refusal of the application on grounds of the impact on landscape, character and appearance of the area and stated the scheme was contrary to several policies, including the West Fife Local Plan.

It also said the 125-metre turbines would create an adverse impact on Edinburgh Airport's capacity to control inbound flights.

It added, "The proposed windfarm, due to its close proximity to individual residential properties, rural businesses and the settlement of Saline, would have an overbearing impact and consequently would significantly harm the amenity of these important interests."

At the meeting, Rosyth councillor Douglas Chapman referred to these warnings and said, "I want to see more wind farms but we have been well briefed by local people and we've got to protect local residents and their way of life."

West Fife & Coastal Villages councillor Bill Walker told members that it was "crucial" that they supported planning officers in refusing the application.

He said, "This is not about generating electricity but about the huge impact this will have on West Fife and the people in my ward.

"I've looked at (the report) in great detail and have come to the conclusion we should support the officers in refusing the application.

"Of course there are benefits to wind farms but it's not a wind farm suitable for this particular location."

Councillor Gerry McMullan, from the same ward, mentioned the health issues and the "iconic area" surrounding Saline that would be affected.

He said, "This is a serious business. There are 200 residents' houses within two kilometres and 19 within one kilometre.

"To put these industrial wind turbines in the area is mind-blowing. We have to protect residents in the area and refuse the application."

Also from the same ward, Councillor Bobby Clelland praised Saline community for their work "when it would be easy to get too emotional".

John Crane, vice chair of Saline Community Council, said, "We did expect this result.

"It was a good report from the planning department and it came to the right conclusion. We are pleased councillors were all unanimous in declining it."

Saline resident Diana Johnson, Cults Farm, praised councillors for backing their battle and said, "It's the principle of the issue - the way these wind companies walk in and cause so much stress to the community making plans contrary to guidelines is not on."

SCATT handed out a press release at the end of the meeting which read, "We hope that ABO will now recognise that this was not the right place for a wind farm and will fully respect the decision made today by professional people and save both the public and local money by not appealing the decision.

"The local populace have been united in their objection and to this location and should not be subjected to further stress and expense in having to fight an appeal.

"At least one local community had to raise £20,000 locally in order to fight their appeal and while Saline community is confident of raising a similar amount such a burden should not be necessary."