Super Wind Farms in the Highlands, Argyll and Aberdeenshire: EIR release

Information requested

1. More information about Super Wind Farms in Highlands, Argyll and Bute and Aberdeenshire?
2. Have any planning applications been submitted for very large wind farms in these areas?
3. Where/when will be able to learn more about these plans?

Response

There is no formal definition of what constitutes "super" in the context of onshore windfarms. Applications to construct and operate windfarms, which will generate more than 50 megawatts, require consent from Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Permission to build and operate windfarms which fall below this threshold will apply to the relevant planning authority for planning permission. All of the information you have requested, relating to applications for onshore windfarm development which have been made to Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, is available on this website www.energyconsents.scot . You can then use the search facility to narrow your search for windfarm applications in the planning authority areas you are interested in by;

• selecting the "Advanced Search" tab in the home page;
• selecting the relevant "Planning Authority" in the drop down menu;
• defining your search date parameters in “Application Received Date Received between:”;
• selecting “Development” in “Case Type”; and
• selecting “Application” in “Case Status”.

These fields may also be adjusted to identify applications which are at various stages in the preapplication process. More detailed information about each windfarm application can thereafter by found by opening the information under the ECU Reference number.

Under regulation 6(1)(b) of the EIRs, we do not have to give you information which is already publicly available and easily accessible to you in another form or format. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy of the details you require.

Information Not Held

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reason why this exception applies is explained below.

Reason

The Scottish Government does not hold information on applications for onshore windfarm development which have been submitted to relevant planning authorities under Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. However, you may wish to visit the websites of the following organisations where planning applications can be viewed (see below) and where contact details for the planning departments of these organisations can be found.

Planning applications (argyll-bute.gov.uk)

View planning applications | Planning permission | The Highland Council

Planning Applications - Aberdeenshire Council

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.