Two major windfarm developments are set to be decided by Fife Council’s planning committee today.
Separate plans for five turbines at the Westfield open cast site near Kinglassie and nine turbines at Earlseat off the Standing Stane Road will go before councillors on Tuesday afternoon.
While the Earlseat proposal has stirred up little in the way of public opinion, the Westfield windfarm has drawn 108 letters of objection, including from Tayside Aviation, which operates Fife Airport, and Fife and Edinburgh flying clubs.
Papers for Westfield came before the planning committee in April, but applicant Infinis asked for more time to consider the findings of an independent safety assessment carried out at the request of Fife Council, which warned that installing turbines so close to the airfield could have fatal consequences for pilots.
Councillors will today hear that aviation safety is the determining factor in deciding if the plans should be approved.
Council planners have recommended approval with a list of 21 added conditions. Among these are measures to protect the safety of aircraft in the vicinity.
If approved, Westfield would provide enough electricity to supply about 7,000 households.
Meanwhile, Earlseat is also up for discussion, and the proposal has also been recommended for approval.
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.See Wednesday’s Courier for the decisions and local reaction.