Deadline approaching for Faray wind farm comments

Members of the public are being reminded that they have just under two weeks left to make their views known about a proposed wind farm on Faray - before a planning application is submitted early next year.

The project is part of ‘Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project’ which also includes proposed wind farm developments at Quanterness in St. Ola, and at Wee Fea in Hoy.

The latest development proposals consist of up to six turbines with a maximum blade-tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, crane hardstandings, turbine foundations, underground cabling, on-site substation and maintenance building, temporary construction compounds and potential excavations/borrow workings.

As the development is classed as a 'major development' there is a requirement to submit a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to the planning authority and carry out a Pre-Application Consultation (PAC). This would usually have included a face-to-face public event, however this was not possible due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

With the Scottish Government having recently passed emergency legislation to allow developers to carry out  pre-application consultation without the need for a face to face public event, alternative plans were put in place following government guidance – which have allowed members of the public to talk directly to the project team about the plans and raise any questions or concerns they may have – before a planning application is submitted.

Methods have included phone calls with the project team, an online video and survey, and a live virtual event.

The objective of the PAC is for communities to be better informed about major and national development proposals and to have an opportunity to contribute their views before a formal planning application is submitted to the planning authority.

It should be noted that comments made to OIC through this PAC process are not representations to the planning authority. If a planning application is subsequently submitted, neighbour notification and publicity will be undertaken, and individuals and communities will have an opportunity to make representations on that application to the planning authority at that time.

To discuss remaining options for speaking to the Project Team please contact Kirsty Groundwater, Project Officer, Orkney Islands Council by email or by phone on 07818508323 or visit the Faray PAC web page.

Comments can be submitted through:

• The online feedback form through the Faray PAC web page
• By email to kirsty.groundwater@orkney.gov.uk
• By phone to 07818508323
• By post to Kirsty Groundwater, Project Officer, Orkney Islands Council, Town House, Stromness, KW16 3AA

The deadline for submitting comments to the Project Team will be Monday 30 November 2020 at 12:00.