Dumfries and Galloway Council has produced a Draft Wind Energy Landscape Sensitivity Study Supplementary Guidance for consultation. This will form an important part of the evidence base for the next Local Development Plan and provides guidance that will assist the Council in assessing the potential landscape impacts of onshore wind energy proposals. Details can be found by following the link below:
It is our intention for this draft guidance to replace the existing Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study, which was last updated in 2017. Since that time there have been a number of changes in circumstances:
- Dumfries & Galloway has seen an increase in applications for turbines at or exceeding 150m in height;
- In some areas there have been changes in the landscape resulting from wind farm development;
- NatureScot has produced updated guidance on preparing landscape studies; and
- National Planning Framework 4 has updated the policies used to consider renewable energy proposals
We would welcome your views on this draft guidance in writing by Friday 20 December 2024. Any comments you may have may be submitted by email to ldp@dumgal.gov.uk or, by post to Development Planning, Dumfries and Galloway Council, c/o Council HQ, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please let me know.
Regards
Fraser James
Planner
LDP Team
Dumfries and Galloway Council