Agenda item

Reference No – 131859

Planning application documents can be viewed here –  http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?131859

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development which recommended:-

That the Committee approve the application in respect of planning permission for the erection of a single 500kw wind turbine (hub height 60m, total height 86.5m), associated tracks and substation, subject to the following conditions:-

(1)  That no development shall take place within the application site until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work which shall include post-excavation and publication work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the planning authority; (2)  that prior to work commencing on site, full colour details of the proposed turbine and substation shall be  submitted for the further written approval of the planning authority and the development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details; (3)  that no development pursuant to this planning permission shall commence unless a detailed site specific construction method statement for the site has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority.  The method statement must address the temporary measures proposed to deal with surface water run-off during construction and prior to the operation of the final SUDS.  Such statement shall be implemented in full for the duration of works on the site; (4)  that no development shall take place unless a scheme of all drainage works designed to meet the requirements of SUDS has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority and thereafter no part of the development shall be occupied unless the drainage has been installed in complete accordance with the said scheme; (5)  that no development pursuant to the planning permission hereby approved shall be carried out unless there has been submitted to and approved in writing for the purpose by the planning authority a further detailed scheme of landscaping for the site, which scheme shall include indications of all existing trees and landscaped areas on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development, and the proposed areas of tree/shrub planting including details of numbers, densities, locations, species, sizes and stage of maturity at planting; (6)  that all planting, seeding and turfing comprised in the approved scheme of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting season following the completion of the development and any trees or plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a size and species similar to those originally required to be planted, or in accordance with such other scheme as may be submitted to and approved in writing for the purpose by the planning authority; (7)  that no development shall take place unless a scheme for ecological protection (drawing no131859-01), or such alternative has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the planning authority, and any such scheme as may have been approved has been implemented; (8)  that no materials, supplies, plant, machinery, spoil, changes in ground levels or construction activities shall be permitted within the protected areas specified in the aforementioned scheme of tree/ecological protection without the written consent of the planning authority and no fire shall be lit in a position where the flames could extend to within 5 metres of foliage, branches or trunks; (9)  that prior to the commencement of development on the site, the developer shall obtain written approval from the planning authority, following consultation with Transport Scotland - Trunk Road Network Management Directorate (the trunk roads authority) and Police Scotland, for a traffic management plan.  This plan shall include details of (i) routing of construction traffic and construction workers' traffic; (ii) provision of any temporary car park; (iii) controlled routing of heavy vehicles; (iv) arrangements for police escort or other escort approved by Police Scotland of abnormal loads; (v) any speed restrictions required; and (vi) temporary site signage identifying routes for all site vehicles and advising drivers of all necessary information.  Such provisions in the approved plan shall be fully implemented, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the planning authority; (10)  that in the event that this turbine becomes obsolete or redundant, it must be removed within 6 months of such event.  In the event that the turbine and associated equipment is removed, the site shall be made good, in accordance with a scheme to be submitted and approved in writing by the planning authority, within 1 month of such removal; and (11)  that notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984, no symbols, signs, logos or other lettering (other than those required for health and safety reasons) shall be displayed on the turbine, or other buildings or structures within the site without the written approval of the planning authority.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Corall:-

That the application be approved in accordance with the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor Thomson moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

That the application be refused on the grounds that the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the existing landscape and therefore did not comply with Policy D6 (Landscape) within the Aberdeen Local Development Plan; on residential amenity with regard to shadow flicker; on natural heritage and ecology; and in terms of road safety.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion  (9)  -  the Convener; and Councillors Corall, Grant, Lawrence, MacGregor, Jean Morrison, Samarai, Sandy Stuart and Townson;  for the amendment  (6)  -  the Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Greig, Jaffrey, Jennifer Stewart and Thomson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.