A METEOROLOGICAL mast on the Kintyre Peninsula is set to remain in place for a further two years after council officials granted permission.
Energiekontor UK Ltd submitted the application to Argyll and Bute Council in order to continue its work to inform the redesign of a wind farm project. The mast is on a site approximately 5.7km east of Tayinloan.
No representations, expressing either objection or support, were received by the council during the planning process, and planning permission has now been awarded.
A council officer said in a handling report: “The subject of this planning application is for the retention of the existing meteorological mast for a further 24 months.
“The application advises that the continued operation of the meteorological mast is necessary to inform the current redesign of the Narachan Wind Farm project, after its refusal in 2024, as well as changes in project timeline due to grid delays associated with major grid reform.
“Continued measurement of the meteorological data will assist in providing a detailed understanding of the prevailing conditions at the site particularly in relation to removing uncertainty around interactions with forestry.
“No further construction or installation work will take place at the development site as all equipment remains in situ.”
The officer added: “The main issue in the determination of this planning application is whether the retention of a meteorological mast for a further 24 months is acceptable in principle.
“The meteorological mast has a clear locational need associated with wind resource monitoring for the purposes of commercial wind energy generation. Its location is well removed from receptors and its requirement is for an additional 24-month period.
“In this case, officers are minded to agree an additional 24 month period given its requirement is necessary to inform the current redesign of the Narachan Wind Farm project as well as changes in project timeline due to grid delays associated with major grid reform.”
