Supporting Document for Proposed Local Development Plan 2015
East Dunbartonshire
Evidence Report 7:
Wind Energy Framework
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environment Report
Action Programme
Habitats Regulations Appraisal
Equality Impact Assessment
Policy Background Reports
Evidence Report 1: Addressing Housing Need and Demand in East Dunbartonshire
Evidence Report 2: Housing Land Audit 2014
Evidence Report 3: Site Assessments
Evidence Report 4: Campsie Fells Statement of Importance
Evidence Report 5: Kilpatrick Hills Statement of Importance
Evidence Report 6: Retail Capacity Assessment
Evidence Report 7: Wind Energy Framework
Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
Spatial Framework for Wind Energy Development
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Scottish Planning Policy
3. Glasgow & Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan
4. Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine Development in Glasgow & the
Clyde Valley (Clydeplan)
5. Definition of Onshore Wind Energy Development
6. Local Development Plan Proposed Plan Policy 15, Renewable Energy and
Low Carbon Technology
6.1 The Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
6.2 Other Policy Criteria, Including Landscape and Visual Impacts
7. Other Sources of Information
Appendix 1: The Spatial Framework for Wind Energy Map
Appendix 2: Other References
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
1. Introduction
This report sets out the national, strategic and current local planning policy context for
onshore wind energy developments and other sources of information. It also identifies
Clydeplan’s definition of different types of wind turbine development. It provides technical
background information on the planning considerations for a spatial framework for wind
energy development as required by Scottish Planning Policy. This framework forms part of
the proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) Policy 15: Renewable Energy and Low Carbon
Technology.
2. Scottish Planning Policy
The Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 2014, Principal Policy for Sustainability sets out policy
principles including:
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supporting delivery of infrastructure, including energy;
supporting climate change mitigation;
avoiding over-development, protecting the amenity of new and existing
development.
SPP, Principal Policy on Placemaking sets the policy for development in green belts. It states
in para 52 that LDPs should describe the types and scales of development which would be
appropriate within a green belt. It states that this can include development meeting a
national requirement or established need, if no other suitable site is available. It does not
however mention renewable energy directly as an appropriate development in the green
belt. In addition green belt is not identified as a planning consideration for the spatial
framework for wind energy, see table 1 below.
SPP has a section on low carbon place, delivering heat and electricity. It contains policy
principles which support the transformational change to a low carbon economy, consistent
with national objectives and targets, including the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand
from renewable sources by 2020; support the development of a diverse range of electricity
generation from renewable energy technologies - including the expansion of renewable
energy generation capacity. It states that Development Plans should seek to ensure an area's
full potential for electricity and heat from renewable sources is achieved, in line with
national climate change targets, giving due regard to relevant environmental, community
and cumulative impact considerations.
SPP has a section on onshore wind, paragraphs 161 to 166, which states
“Planning authorities should set out in the development plan a spatial framework identifying
those areas that are likely to be most appropriate for onshore wind farms as a guide for
developers and communities, following the approach set out below. Development plans
should indicate the minimum scale of onshore wind development that their spatial
framework is intended to apply to. Development plans should also set out the criteria that
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
will be considered in deciding all applications for wind farms of different scales - including
extensions and re-powering.”
“Both strategic and local development plan authorities, working together where required,
should identify where there is strategic capacity for wind farms, and areas with the greatest
potential for wind development, considering cross-boundary constraints and opportunities.
Strategic development planning authorities are expected to take the lead in dealing with
cross-boundary constraints and opportunities and will coordinate activity with constituent
planning authorities.”
“The approach to spatial framework preparation set out in the SPP should be followed in
order to deliver consistency nationally and additional constraints should not be applied at
this stage. The spatial framework is complemented by a more detailed and exacting
development management process where the merits of an individual proposal will be
carefully considered against the full range of environmental, community, and cumulative
impacts.”
Table 1: Spatial Frameworks identifies the planning considerations that should be considered
in a framework. It identifies three groups, including:
1. Areas where wind farms will not be acceptable
2. Areas of significant protection
3. Areas with potential for wind farm development.
SPP notes that grid capacity should not be used as a reason to constrain the areas identified
for wind farm development or decisions on individual applications for wind farms. It is for
wind farm developers to discuss connections to the grid with the relevant transmission
network operator. Consideration should be given to underground grid connections where
possible.
It also highlights that proposals for onshore wind turbine developments should continue to
be determined while spatial frameworks and local policies are being prepared and updated.
Moratoria on onshore wind development are not appropriate.
3.
Glasgow & Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan
The Strategic Development Plan (SDP), 2012, Strategy Support Measure 9 notes that
“Low carbon economic growth requires that indigenous supplies of natural resources
continue to be developed and that, where feasible, a phased programme of development be
established through the life of the plan. Broad areas of search for wind energy have been
outlined in the Spatial Development Strategy and it will be for LDPs to take forward the
refinement of these areas to establish their long term potential.”
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
The SDP reflects the context of a low carbon future and protects important natural
environments by defining search areas for wind farm developments of 20 Megawatts (MW)
generating capacity, see Diagram 16. Background Report 11 Wind Energy Search Areas sets
out the methodology for this. There are no broad areas of search in East Dunbartonshire.
The new Clydeplan SDP, Main Issues Report (MIR) was published in January 2015. It
identifies issue 2 – supporting a low carbon economy. The preferred option is set out below
and no reasonable alternative option is proposed. The preferred option is:
“Develop a spatial framework using the approach set out in SPP, update the existing SDP1
policy and take account of the landscape capacity study to ensure a consistent approach is
taken across the city region. This takes account of SPP, updates environmental information
and provides a new policy approach.”
The Clydeplan MIR is supported by SDP MIR Background Paper 9, Jan 2015, Wind Energy
Development in Glasgow & the Clyde Valley, which refines the existing methodology in line
with Scottish Planning Policy. This refers to the Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine
Development produced by Clydeplan in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and the
eight Clydeplan local authorities. The outputs of the study include an overview report and
eight local authority reports.
4.
Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine Development
in Glasgow & the Clyde Valley (Clydeplan)
The aim of this study was to provide a strategic view of landscape sensitivity to wind energy
development, and available capacity for further development, across the Glasgow and the
Clyde Valley SDP area. It also examined cumulative development within the landscape,
which crosses local authority boundaries. The study established that there is residual
capacity in some lower sensitivity landscapes, but that the capacity threshold is being
approached in others. It is recognised that the application of this study will be a
consideration for LDPs and Development Management.
The study found that the majority of the landscapes within East Dunbartonshire are of
moderate sensitivity to wind turbine development. However, it was judged that the
sensitivity of the Campsie Fells and Kilpatrick Hills was higher, and their prominent edges
were considered to be a key factor determining the sensitivity of the wider landscape. The
escarpment of the Campsie Fells in particular has an important relationship with the
adjacent Glazert Valley, as well as with the lower land to the south and, by extension, with
the Clyde basin as a whole.
The study also noted the importance of the Antonine Wall and Forth and Clyde Canal. The
capacity of the East Dunbartonshire landscape is considered to be limited, with
opportunities generally restricted to smaller single-turbine developments, carefully sited to
avoid impacts on the key prominent landforms. The study notes the very low level of wind
turbine development in East Dunbartonshire at present; though there are areas where larger
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
numbers of turbines can be seen albeit at some distance. The potential for cumulative
effects to arise based on current patterns of development pressure is judged to be low.
The landscape capacity study identified that potential cumulative impact from wind turbines
in East Dunbartonshire is currently low. There is only one operational single wind turbine
and no planning permissions for wind turbines of over 30 metres, to blade tip, in the area.
However development must consider potential cumulative impacts from existing and
consented turbines in East Dunbartonshire and in neighbouring areas. Cumulative impacts
occur when two or more wind turbines are visible either in combination, in succession or
sequentially. Where proposals would result in two or more wind turbine developments
within close proximity (around 15km or less), their cumulative impact requires to be fully
evaluated. Wind energy developments currently existing or with planning permission
adjacent to this area include: single turbines in North Lanarkshire, wind farms north of the
Carron Reservoir, Stirling and Whitelee Wind Farm in East Renfrewshire. Cumulative impact
is likely to change through time and will need to be reconsidered for every application that
takes place.
5.
Definition of Onshore Wind Energy Development
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce energy. The
SDP 2012 addresses wind farms with a generating capacity of 20MW or more, the scale of
proposal classed as a major development. Any applications for wind farm developments
with output capacity exceeding 50MW are determined by the Scottish Government under
s.36 of the Electricity Act 1989. The Council is a statutory consultee on this scale of proposal,
submitted to the Scottish Government.
The Clydeplan landscape capacity study identifies the following wind turbine development
typologies, identifying heights measured to blade tip:
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Small Turbines – 15 to 30m, to tip
Small to Medium Turbines – 30 to 50m, to tip
Medium Turbines – 51 to 80m, to tip
Large Turbines – 81m to120m, to tip
Very Large Turbines – over 120m, to tip
In terms of turbine numbers, the study considers a range of development scales, though this
is dealt with in a less formal way than for turbine height, since height is the key factor in
determining the compatibility of a proposal with its landscape. The following scales of
development have been considered:
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single turbines;
cluster of turbines (2-5 turbines); and
wind farm (6+ turbines).
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
6.
LDP Proposed Plan Policy 15: Renewable Energy and Low
Carbon Technology
This policy identifies a spatial framework for wind energy developments, in line with SPP,
and is supported by a policy map showing the Spatial Framework for Wind Energy, See
Appendix 1. This will, when approved, supersede the East Dunbartonshire Local Plan 2, in
particular the following policies: DQ8 – Renewable Energy Developments, GB2K –
Telecommunications and Renewable Energy in the green belt.
6.1
The Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
This will apply to proposals for two or more turbines of 50 metres or over, including
commercial and community turbines. It will consider the following categories which are
explained further below:
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Areas where wind farms will not be acceptable - there are none in this area, as they
only apply to National Scenic Areas or National Parks
Areas of significant protection – there are areas which fall into this category in East
Dunbartonshire
Areas with potential for wind farm development, wind farms are likely to be
acceptable, subject to detailed consideration against identified policy criteria – there
are areas which fall into this category in East Dunbartonshire
Areas of significant protection - The following planning considerations in East
Dunbartonshire require significant protection. They are coloured red on the Spatial
Framework map, except the areas of community separation for consideration of visual
impact which are hatched blue:
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Roman Frontiers World Heritage Site (Antonine Wall) and its buffer zone and
Scheduled Monuments, in particular the extensive Forth and Clyde Canal, protected
by LDP Proposed Plan Policy 10 Historic Environment. This information is from
Historic Scotland.
SSSIs - because of their national nature conservation interest. There are six in East
Dunbartonshire, protected by LDP Proposed Plan, Proposed Plan Policy 8 Landscape
Character and Nature Conservation. This information is from Scottish Natural
Heritage.
Community separation for consideration of visual impact, of up to 2km between
wind farms and the edge of towns and villages. The detailed interpretation of the
extent of the area will be determined by the planning authority, at planning
application stage, based on landform and other features which restrict views out
from the settlement. This applies to most of the lowland part of East Dunbartonshire
and some hill land. This is 2km from the edge of towns and villages, including those
within East Dunbartonshire and those in surrounding local authority areas.
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy

Carbon rich soils, deep peat and priority peat land habitat, such as Lenzie Moss, also
protected by LDP Proposed Plan Policy 8. This is taken as the deep peat which is
defined in the SNH 2015, consultative draft peat map, classes 1 & 2.
Note - the following areas of significant protection do not exist in East Dunbartonshire so
have been scoped out of the Framework – Natura 2000 and Ramsar sites; National Nature
Reserves; Sites identified in the national Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes;
Sites identified in the national Inventory of Historic Battlefields; areas of wild land as shown
on the 2014 SNH map of wild land areas.
Areas with potential for wind farm development - A wind farm proposal in this area is likely
to be supported acceptable, subject to detailed consideration against identified policy
criteria - Detailed Considerations for Development Management at Planning Application
Stage. All areas that do not fall within an area of significant protection are considered to be
areas with potential for wind farm development. They are coloured amber on the Spatial
Framework map.
6.2
Other Policy Criteria, Including Landscape and Visual Impacts
SPP sets out planning considerations for wind energy development, they will vary relative to
the scale of the proposal and area characteristics. Policy 15 is in line with SPP’s revised
methodology for wind energy frameworks, in particular green belt and Local Landscape
Areas are no longer identified as a constraint for wind energy. It also sets out criteria for
planning applications to consider on a case by case basis at planning application stage,
including the landscape and visual impact. Policy 15 states:
“Development of renewable and low carbon energy technologies will be supported, where
its location, siting and design has no individual or cumulative unacceptable impact on the
following criteria:
C. Amenity of existing or allocated uses in the surrounding area, in particular
in relation to visual impact and noise;
D. Landscape and visual impacts. In particular consideration should be given
to the cumulative impacts of wind turbines, landscape sensitivity to and
capacity for wind turbine development;
E. Local environment including: air quality; built, natural or cultural heritage
including wetlands protected under the Water Framework Directive; peat
and other carbon rich soils;
F. The safe use of Glasgow Airport, flight activity, navigation, flight paths and
Ministry of Defence surveillance system, telecommunications and
broadcasting installations.”
Consideration of the landscape and visual impact of a proposal will include potential impact
on the importance of Local Landscape Areas, landscape capacity for wind energy
development and cumulative impact. Landscape sensitivity to wind energy and potential
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
cumulative impacts are identified in Clydeplan’s Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine
Development, see para 4.0 above.
The existing Local Plan 2 Regional Scenic Areas (RSA) have been redesignated as the
Kilpatrick Hills and Campsie Fells Local Landscape Areas in the Proposed LDP under Policy 8.
The Kilpatrick Hills in the West Dunbartonshire Council area extends into East
Dunbartonshire and Stirling Council areas and are also designated as Local Landscape Area in
both adjacent areas. The Campsie Fells in the Stirling Council area are also designated as part
of the Southern Hills Local Landscape Area.
The section of Local Landscape Area in East Dunbartonshire will also be designated as a Local
Landscape Area. The adjoining hills to the east are the Kilsyth Hills in North Lanarkshire.
North Lanarkshire Council is currently carrying out a review of its Local Landscape
Designations and are also likely to identify the Kilsyth Hills as a Local Landscape Area in their
Proposed Plan. There are three other lowland areas which will be identified as Local
Landscape Areas: Baldernock, Glazert Valley and Badenheath. A Statement of Importance,
for each Local Landscape Area identifies its special landscape qualities and reasons for
designation.
7.
Other Sources of Information
Renewable UK advise that wind turbines start operating at 4 to 5 m/s and reach maximum
power at 15 m/s. Annual mean wind speed data, at 25 metres above ground level, in East
Dunbartonshire includes the following approximate wind speeds: 7 to greater than 10
metres per second (m/s) in the Campsie Fells and Kilpatrick Hills and 5 to 7 m/s in the Green
Belt (see ETSU for DTI 1999). These approximations were applied at one kilometre grid
square resolution and take no account of local/ small scale variables. This data can only be
used as a guide and should be refined by on site wind speed measurements. Other sources
of information from public and private bodies on wind energy are identified in Appendix 2.
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
Appendix 1: The Spatial Framework for Wind Energy Map, in the Proposed Plan
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
Appendix 2: Other References
BWEA, UK Wind Speed Database http://www.bwea.com/noabl/index.html
Clydeplan, Background Report 9: Wind Energy Development in Glasgow and the
Clyde Valley (January 2015).
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan 2012
Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine Development in Glasgow and the Clyde
Valley (2014)
NATS (en-route) plc (NERL), pre-planning consultancy service
http://www.nats.co.uk/environment/windfarms
Noble Environmental Power/ Noabl, Wind Maps
North Lanarkshire Council, Supplementary Planning Guidance
http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=7542&p=0
Scottish Government, Scottish Planning Policy (2014)
Scottish Government, Advice Sheet for Onshore Wind Turbines
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-PlanningPolicy/themes/renewables/Onshore
Scottish Government, Carbon Savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peatland – A
New Approach’ (2008) (http://www.scotland.gov.uk)
Scottish Government, Scottish Planning Circular 2/2003: Safeguarding of
Aerodromes, Technical Sites and Military Explosives Storage Areas
Scottish Government, Renewables Action Plans:
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning
Scottish Natural Heritage Guidance on Siting and Designing
Windfarms:
www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/strategy/renewables/Guidance_Siting_Designing_...windfarms
.pdf
Scottish Natural Heritage, Onshore Wind Farms in Scotland (August 2012)
http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A763435.pdf
Scottish Power, Electricity Transmission Network in Central and Southern Scotland
http://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/connecting_to_our_network/
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Evidence Report 7: Spatial Framework for Wind Energy
Scottish Renewables - Information on the demand for and technologies for Onshore
Wind
http://www.scottishrenewables.com/technologies/onshore-wind/
SEPA Planning Advice Note 4: Windfarm Developments:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/planning.aspx#Guidance_notes.)
South Lanarkshire Council, Supplementary Planning Guidance
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/7619/wind_energy_suppleme
ntary_guidance_may_2013
Stirling Council, Supplementary Planning Guidance
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/services/business-and-trade/planning-and-buildingstandards/local-and-statutory-development-plans/supplementary-planningguidance/wind-farms
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