Decision Maker: Formartine Area Committee

Outcome: Approve

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 29, 2025

Purpose: Application comes before committee due to being a national development for which we are seeking views and comments on the proposal from FAC before application appears at ISC in June for determination.

Content: Motion – Formartine Area Committee should remain neutral   Amendment 1 – Formartine Area Committee should not support the application   Amendment 2 – Formartine Area Committee should support the application   Following voting, the motion was carried that the application be referred to ISC for determination, with Formartine Area Committee remaining neutral and providing the following comments:    a)    This is a national, regional development vs the reality for residents in the area, b)    There is a huge concern about cumulative impact for residential properties in the area, c)    There is collective industrialisation of a rural area, d)    Consideration should be given to the landscape, visual impact and character of the area, e)    There is a risk to hydrology and water supplies and so the monitoring of this is welcome, f)      In terms of roads infrastructure and safety, much of the small rural road network in this area is single track and consideration should be given to the size of construction vehicles travelling to and from the site, g)    In considering the roads network in the area and the reality for users, mitigation is appreciated but cognisance should be given to the condition and maintenance of the road and lack of passing places, h)    Assurances have been given that the developer has taken into consideration any impacts on the river Deveron and river Ythan and will continue to do so, i)      It’s noted that there are agreed working hours which helps to mitigate the noise element with construction, but consideration should also be given to light pollution coming from the site in winter hours, j)      The cumulative noise and lighting impacts including other developments in the area should be considered, k)    Landscaping visual impacts of the cumulative development area should be considered, l)      Construction traffic and routes need to be adhered to, in the past there has been no enforcement or interventions, m)  The proximity of residential properties and loss of amenity needs to be carefully considered, n)    The biodiversity element has been covered in terms of the conditions and NPF4 requirements, o)    The Fintry issue raised at the Pre-Determination Hearing, in terms of construction traffic, may not have long-term implications but the short and medium-term implications should be considered, p)    It would be helpful to have a named person for locals to contact, should there be any issues, and q)    The requirements for a windfarm are quite substantial, to be borne by a small rural area.   The Committee also agreed that, should the application be approved, the MSCs should come back to the Formartine Area Committee for consideration, due to the significant issue for local residents.