The Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has issued its decision on the Craighead Windfarm appeal, allowing the application for eight wind turbines near Dunning Glen and granting planning permission subject to 28 conditions.
The Reporter found that the development accorded with the relevant provisions of the development plan, particularly National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which supports onshore wind energy. Whilst significant adverse landscape and visual effects were identified, these were found to be localised and considered acceptable given the policy support for renewable energy.
The decision also found no significant adverse impact on the setting of the Category A-listed Kinross House and its designed garden, despite objections from Historic Environment Scotland. Conditions are imposed to address interference with aviation radar, and the Reporter noted that the development does not pose a safety risk to gliding activity at the nearby club.
The Reporter concluded that the estimated output of around 151,000 megawatt hours per year over a 40-year operational life represented substantial benefits that outweighed the identified adverse effects.