Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
5.3.26 ELSP Policy ENV1B: National Natural Heritage Designations provides that “development
which would affect national designations ... will only be permitted where it can be
demonstrated that ... the objectives of the designation and the overall integrity will not be
compromised ... or [alternatively] any significant adverse effects on the qualities [of the
designation] are clearly outweighed by social or economic benefits of national importance.”
5.3.27 ELSP Policy ENV1D: Regional and Local Natural and Built Environment Interests
provides that “development affecting [local nature reserves] will only be permitted where ...
the objectives and overall integrity of the designated area will not be compromised ... or the
social or economic benefits to be gained from the proposed development outweigh ... the
interest of the site.”
5.3.28 ELSP Policy ENV1F: Environmental or Biodiversity Assessments provides that
“development proposals that would affect any designated ... priority habitat[s] or species or
other important non-statutory locations will require an appropriate level of environmental or
biodiversity assessment.” It continues that “where development is permitted, proposals must
include measures for mitigation and, where appropriate, enhancement to reduce any adverse
impact and/or to provide for sustainable habitat replacement.”
5.3.29 WLLP Policy NWR21 provides that “the council will not support any proposal for renewable
energy development that could undermine the qualities of any site identified by [any natural
heritage designations in either] West Lothian or in an adjoining local authority area.” It
provides that “in assessing such effects, the council will have particular regard to the
precautionary principle.”
5.3.30 WLLP Policy NWR23 presumes against the development of renewable energy proposals in
or adjacent to areas that are designated either nationally or locally for their natural heritage
importance, or because of the area’s role to retain undeveloped countryside.
5.3.31 WLLP Policy NWR26 provides that “in determining any proposal for a windfarm, the council
shall have specific regard to the specific site planning considerations set out in paragraphs
11.81 to 11.88 [of the WLLP].” Paragraph 11.86 provides that the council will assess wind
farm proposals taking into account matters including the impact on migratory and nesting
birds and the potential for bird strike.
5.3.32 WLLP Policy ENV2 presumes against “development that will put at risk habitats and key
priorities identified in the West Lothian Local Biodiversity Action Plan.”
5.3.33 WLLP Policy ENV3 provides that “development proposals within or affecting [the integrity of
Natura 2000 sites] ... will not be permitted unless it can be ascertained that it will not
adversely affect the integrity of a Natura site or there are no alternative solutions and there
are imperative reasons of over-riding national public interest.”
5.3.34 WLLP Policy ENV4 presumes against “developments within, or affecting areas classified as
sites of national importance, including National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special
Scientific Interest, ... unless it can be demonstrated that ... it will not compromise the
objectives or integrity of the designation or there is an overriding national public interest that
outweighs the designation interest.”
5.3.35 WLLP Policy ENV5 presumes against “development affecting areas of regional or local
importance, or their settings, unless it can be clearly shown that the objectives and integrity of
the area will not be compromised or that the social or economic benefits to be gained from
the development outweigh the conservation interest of the site.” Designations are Local
March 2013 5-8 ES Chapter 5
Planning Policy Overview
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