Scottish Planning Policy is a material consideration which helps planning authorities shape development plans and make decisions on wind farm developments. The potential visual impact of wind farms is an important factor in plan-making and in these decisions. In order to minimise the visual impact of wind farms, the current Scottish Planning Policy (2010) recommends that planning authorities apply a 2km separation distance between potential sites for onshore wind farms above 20MW and the edge of cities, towns and villages. The 2km separation has in general been well received by planning authorities, communities and developers but there is a lack of clarity about the evidence base for setting this specific distance.
ClimateXChange was asked by the Scottish Government to examine the evidence base for the separation distance. The project reviewed a wide range of relevant sources from over 15 countries. It found that most separation distances have been set based on noise, shadow flicker or health considerations, with none specifically relating to visual impacts. The study found no direct link between the evidence and the policy for a 2km separation distance.
The size of onshore wind turbines has been increasing and is expected to increase in coming years. This study therefore also looked at whether there is evidence to support an increase in the 2km distance to reflect this trend. It found that, even in the few cases where visual impact had been a key consideration for setting separation distances, no reference had been made to turbine heights.
After reviewing UK and international literature on the use of separation distances for onshore wind farms, the study discusses ways that planning policy might be revised, for example:
– by articulating a clear understanding of the impact of the current 2km distance (positive and/or negative);
– by finding ways to improve engagement with stakeholders, and ways to better understand the subjective aspects of how people perceive the visual impact of wind turbines;
– by expanding the descriptions of the criteria that planning authorities should consider in identifying different zones (Para 190 in the current SPP).
ECCI and ClimateXChange organised the event Shaping Our Energy Future to bring together experts, opinion formers and community representatives to explore the question: What energy future do we want and how do we shape it?
The event was designed to make protagonists in the renewables debate articulate a positive vision of the future and how we will deliver it. Mixed media presentations, facilitated debate and the latest research and evidence was used to engage the participants.
Shaping Our Energy Future aimed to:
- Promote more informed dialogue about different visions for Scotland’s energy provision (incl. perceived and actual costs & benefits) – using video and other means of communicating different points of view that can be accessed publicly;
- Create authoritative information resources – and an independent platform to host these resources – that provides the evidence base for the ongoing and future dialogue between stakeholders;
- Understand better the views of different stakeholders and where these views overlap; where there is conflict; and where we can work collaboratively; and also who is NOT represented currently;
- Explore how we can enable better engagement with communities and other stakeholders who are not currently part of this dialogue.
This information session on unconventional gas was run jointly by ClimateXChange, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering for Scottish Government policy teams.
The distinction between ‘conventional’ and ‘unconventional’ islargely down to geology: conventional reservoirs are typically sandstones (and sometimes other hard rocks) whereas unconventional gas targets include rocks traditionally regarded as ‘source rocks’ rather than reservoir rocks, e.g shale, coal etc.
The first session focussed on the findings of last year’s joint academies review and what we know about unconventional gas resources.
The second session looked at risk and public consultation/engagement.
The potential health impact on people living near wind turbines is a contested issue. This report analyses UK and international academic literature published in the last four years on the effects of wind turbines on human health.
The literature reviewed includes, amongst others, studies on noise, sleep disturbance, motion sickness-like symptoms and impacts of shadow flicker. It also looks at the strategies to reduce negative health effects, mostly from noise, used in different countries and the thresholds for noise and distance used.
The Scottish Government specified some of the literature reviewed. The University of Salford, who carried out the desk based analysis, also added other peer reviewed studies and publications.
Please use the links on the right to read comments we have received on the report and a follow-up reply from the authors.