An “extremely disappointed” councillor believes Scottish ministers blocking Aviva’s £3 million wind turbine plan is “contradictory to Scottish Government renewable policy.”
The 77-metre high wind turbine at the insurance company’s Perth headquarters was originally refused by PKC’s planning and development management committee.
Following an appeal, PKC’s local review body granted planning permission in August 2019 but this decision was called in by Scottish ministers in January 2020.
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This month it emerged Scottish ministers have decided to refuse planning permission.
The Scottish Government sent a letter to Purple Renewables - who submitted the bid on behalf of Aviva - with its decision. The letter was also sent to Perth and Kinross Council and Historic Environment Scotland who lodged representations with Scottish ministers.
The letter states ministers concluded “the proposed development is contrary to the development plan, Scottish Planning Policy and the guidance and policies of Historic Environment Scotland.”
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Ministers also agreed with the findings of the reporter.
The letter said: “Ministers also accept the reporter’s conclusion that the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the setting of the listed building that cannot be mitigated and that the potential benefits in relation to climate change are not sufficient to outweigh the adverse impact of the development on the listed building.”
The £3m project was going to be one of the first developments of its kind on one of Aviva’s UK sites.
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It was hoped this would help the insurance giant towards reducing its worldwide company carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030.
Last week Aviva launched one of the UK’s largest combined solar carports and energy storage facilities at its Fair City site generating enough energy for 500 homes.
Lib Dem councillor Willie Wilson sits on PKC’s local review body and voted to approve the wind turbine. The wind turbine would sit within his Perth City South ward.
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He told the Perthshire Advertiser : “I am extremely disappointed in the decision of the Scottish Government to refuse the consent for the wind turbine at Pitheavlis .
“This is a major blow to Aviva’s ambition to work towards being as self sufficient in energy terms as possible. It really is contradictory to Scottish Government renewable policy.”
He added: “Either you support the introduction of renewable energy or you don’t. Here is another example of the SNP Scottish Government trying to face both ways in a key policy area. “
A spokesperson for Aviva said: “Aviva were very disappointed to receive this news. We are currently reviewing this to understand the basis of the decision.”
