Green Cat Renewables appeal decision to reject ‘Gleneagles Hotel’ wind farm

A Scottish renewable energy developer is to appeal against the decision by a local council to reject its application to build a wind farm ‘near’ Gleneagles Hotel.

More than 400 people and organisations – including the five-star hotel, had called for the scheme to be scrapped, arguing that it could hurt tourism and have a negative visual impact.

Green Cat Renewables, based in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, wants to build a nine-turbine project at Greenacres, near Braco in Perthshire.

The power company has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government and Director Gavin Catto said he hopes that the Government Reporter will look at the application ‘objectively and apply the council’s policies in the correct manner.’

He explained: “The need to develop renewable energy to fight climate change has never been greater, with the switch to the use of electric cars and greater use of heat pumps for space heating, the demand for electricity is set to soar, and this needs to come from clean sources. 

“With subsidies having been removed for onshore wind, it is necessary to site wind farms in areas with good wind resource, close proximity to the grid, and using the most modern efficient turbines.

“In parallel, there is an increasing drive to protect Scotland’s precious landscape, minimising the impact on protected landscapes and areas of ‘wild land’. 

“Finding viable projects that fit within these often conflicting requirement is always a compromise, and we believe this site is a good compromise with a level of impact that is acceptable for the benefit it will create.”

The Strathallan Wind Farm project was originally submitted in 2007 as a four-turbine plan, which was rejected by Perth and Kinross Council in March 2009. A new, nine-turbine plan was submitted in August 2015, and the council once again refused the application earlier this month.