A £25.3 million windfarm proposal for the outskirts of Kirkcaldy has been endorsed by Glenrothes councillors.
Members of Glenrothes area committee were on the whole in favour of Carbon Free’s proposal for nine turbines, each 120 metres high, at Earlseat Farm north of the Standing Stane Road.
The plans had already received a mixed reaction from councillors in the Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth areas, with the proposal spanning both localities as well as Glenrothes.
In general, while Kirkcaldy elected members had reservations about the impact the turbines would have on nearby developments, those in Levenmouth broadly welcomed the proposal.
Having now been considered by all three area committees, the plans are now set to go before Fife Council’s planning committee.
Although planners are satisfied the windfarm would comply with noise and shadow flicker standards, the council has made a recommendation that the number of turbines is reduced to eight and the position of the final hub altered to minimise visual impact from the Standing Stane Road.
The proposal would provide enough electricity to serve 7.5% of Fife households. It would create around 30 short-term construction jobs and Carbon Free has pledged to establish a community fund which would contribute £2.1 million during the development’s lifetime.
It is intended Adam Smith College would use the fund to provide 150 renewable apprenticeship places.
Planning officer Elspeth Cook told the meeting that only a small patch within the Glenrothes area was affected but the site was just two kilometres from the villages of Milton of Balgonie and Coaltown of Balgonie.
She said: “We really do need to stress that there are some very positive things coming from this development, not least of which is the lack of public concern.
“There have been four objections and one letter of support, and for a windfarm of this scale that’s quite an achievement.
“We’re not dealing with an unspoilt landscape that has been untouched we are dealing with a landscape that has already been changed by the grid patterns of agriculture and forestry work.”
Ms Cook highlighted issues raised by Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland that could influence the planning committee’s decision despite no formal objections having been raised.
SNH has expressed “serious concern” about the visual impact of the development and suggested the number of turbines be limited to five.
Meanwhile, Historic Scotland raised the issue of the turbines’ proximity to Balgonie Castle.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland raised no objections.