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You are in: Services we provide » Planning » Wind Farms

Wind Farms

The Council's planning policy for the siting of wind farms is contained in the Structure Plan, and dates from 2004. In order to assist with a review and possible up-dating of this policy, and related policies, further information and analysis was required regarding the visual impact of turbines and their effects upon landscape character and quality. Consultants were engaged in 2007 to provide such analysis.

The commissioned report "Stirling Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development" is now available to the council (and to the co-funding partners, Scottish Natural Heritage and The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority) in its finalised form. Its recommendations do not have the status of Council policy.

The Council is scheduled to consider, at its meeting on 13th March, 2008, whether to endorse the findings of the report and whether to proceed with any related planning policy revisions.The Scottish Government is currently advocating that Local Authorities review planning policies for on-shore wind farms in the light of the latest national planning guidance. Revised policies, should, advises the Government, be brought forward as Supplementary Planning Guidance where appropriate. Consultation will be instigated on any revised policies and local planning guidance if the Council agrees to such a course.

It is normal practice for "Background Papers" cited in Committee reports to become available for public inspection. However, the Study Report is a lengthy and copiously illustrated document, not readily made available in hard copy. Therefore the principal parts of the report - text, illustrations and maps - are displayed here for information.

Part 1
Acknowledgements,
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
Study Findings
3(i) Area-wide landscape capacity for wind energy development.

Part 2
Study Findings
3(ii) Landscape character types for wind energy development guidelines for siting & design of windfarms.
4 Planning Policy.
5. Conclusions.

Part 3
Figures/Maps.

Part 4
Appendices.