Scottish Ministers have refused planning permission for CWP Energy’s proposed 432MW Scoop Hill onshore wind farm in Dumfries & Galloway following a public inquiry.
Reporters examining the appeal recommended refusal on landscape and visual impact grounds, concluding the effects would “extend beyond what could be considered as localised” and were not “adequately mitigated through the design of the wind farm”.
They also found the project would have “unacceptable” impacts on the Eskdalemuir seismic array, a Ministry of Defence facility used to detect nuclear explosions under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
CWP Energy submitted technical proposals during the planning process aimed at mitigating seismic noise from the turbines, but the MoD rejected the measures, saying they would not deliver the expected improvement in detection capabilities or significantly reduce ground vibrations recorded at the array.
The developer sought additional time to gather further data, but reporters ruled that delaying the inquiry would be inappropriate and also dismissed the option of granting consent subject to a suspensive condition.
CWP later requested that alternative mitigation solutions be considered after the inquiry had closed, but officials declined.
“Given the length of time that has passed since the application was originally submitted (in 2020), the uncertain timescales involved, the position of the MoD and consideration of the reporter’s overall conclusions, Scottish Ministers do not consider that it would be either appropriate or proportionate to re-open the public inquiry or further delay the determination of this application,” the government said.
CWP Energy managing director Rod Wood criticised the decision, describing it as a setback for investment.
“It’s a disappointment that a £1bn investment from a UK business has been turned down without any tangible engagement from both governments,” Wood said.
“Great claims are made about creating a pro-growth environment and encouraging investment in infrastructure to reduce bills for consumers. Post-Brexit, investors had hoped for a more pro-business and pro-growth environment that creates jobs and a future. This refusal is a case in point that blockers remain at the heart of government, and nothing’s changed.”
The Scoop Hill project had been planned to comprise 60 turbines with tip heights ranging from 180 metres to 250 metres.
