THE appeal by Kennedy Renewables against Fife Council’s decision to refuse plans for an extension to their wind farm at Little Raith has been turned down by Reporter, Sinead Lynch.

The decision was announced on Thursday after Ms Lynch had considered a volume of information from Kennedy and the local authority on proposals to put five new turbines at the wind farm, to the south of Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly.

In her findings the Reporter said, “Having regard to the provisions of the development plan, the main issues in this appeal are landscape/visual impact and residential impact, including cumulative impacts.

“Other material considerations in this appeal are national renewable energy targets, national planning policy, economic impact and education, noise, shadow and flare flicker and airport radar systems.

“From my site visit, I concur that the proposed additional turbines would have a detrimental impact on the landscape character of the area. I consider that the extended wind farm would become the prevailing landscape feature in the local lowland hills and valleys area, and would result in an adverse change to the existing character of the area”.

Ms Lynch added, “The existing wind farm at Little Raith is generally perceived with the backdrop of the Mossmorran plant, as a discrete and confined landscape feature in an otherwise open landscape. The additional turbines would extend the encroachment into the open landscape to the north and west of the existing development.

“I agree with the council that should the proposed development proceed, the local landscape would change from alandscape ‘with wind turbines’ to a ‘wind turbine landscape,’ as set out in SPG, eroding the open characteristics of the landscape.

“The appellant’s argument that the landscape is already industrial and therefore the impact of the additional turbines is less significant, is not supported.

“The effect of the proposal would be to make the industrial character of the existing and proposed energy related development at and in the vicinity of the appeal site, which is predominantly open and undulating, be dominated with wind turbines and energy facilities”.

The decision was welcomed by James Glen, chair of Lochgelly Community Council, who said, “The decision by the DPEA to refuse the Little Raith Extension is very sensible .

“We welcome the support it gives to Fife planning policy which finds the local area is now at saturation point for industrial-scale wind turbines.

“The Lochgelly Community Council maintained its objection during the appeal process due to the proximity of the turbines to homes.

“Whilst the decision will provide some comfort for residents, another major development has been proposed for turbines at Lochore Meadows, again in close proximity to homes in Lochgelly.

“We are currently engaging with residents in Lochgelly on this proposal and will determine the community council response accordingly.” George Kinnell, spokesperson for community website Loch of Shining Waters said, “The application received 324 letters of objection and only 16 letters of support, which gave Kennedy Renewables a clear message that the local community did not want an extension.

“They ignored the will of the local community and the opinion of Fife planning department and our elected representatives, to pursue an appeal.

“We hope AMEC Wind Developments, who have lodged the application for Hilton Farm, will take note of the Reporter’s decision.

“Local communities are no longer supporting these large environmentally destructive industrial structures, especially when the proposals trample all over local planning policies.

“With the end of the subsidy gravy train, communities should see less speculative developments being proposed that only enrich the developer and land owner.” Kennedy Renewables had hoped to create an education centre with their extension plan and had reduced the number of turbines from six to five in their extension proposal.