CLG Meeting minutes 10th July 2014

Element Power
3rd Floor
Ben Dearg Suite
Forsyth House
93 George Street
EDINBURGH EH2 3ES
T + 44 131 240 1237
www.elpower.com
Binn Eco Park Wind Farm
Community Liaison Group Meeting 10 July 2014
Minutes
Present:
Jeanette Thomson (JT) – Chair,
Heather Kwiatkowski (HK) – Project Developer, Element Power
Della Lansley (DL) – Project Director, Element Power
Margaret Ponton, Glenfarg CC
Bill Macpherson, Glenfarg CC
Alan Muirhead, Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo CC
George Aitken, Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo CC
Cllr Henry Anderson, Almond and Earn Ward
Cllr Alan Livingston, Almond and Earn Ward
Apologies: Cllr Alan Jack, John Ferguson (Binn), Abernethy CC, Earn CC
Chair’s Opening Remarks
JT welcomed everyone to the meeting and started by explained that this year Element Power has increased
its investment in Scotland by moving its UK operation to Edinburgh. It has also recruited a new and
experienced team of individuals who all have a proven track record in the successful consenting and
completion of the development of wind farm projects and the core skills and know-how to take projects
from inception through to operation.
Introductions then followed.
Previous Minutes

It was confirmed that the CLG had sight of previous minutes. The previous procedure for issue of
meeting minutes was confirmed as informal.
JT proposed a new procedure for issue and approval going forward.

Draft Minutes would be issued and emailed to CLG members to amend/comment/approve within
seven working days.

Final, agreed minutes would then be issued to CLG members and stakeholders.

This was agreed.
Project Update
Element Power Northern Europe Developments Limited
Registered in England and Wales | Registered Office: Meridien House, 42 Upper Berkeley Street, London W1H 5QJ | Company Number: 7445420
Element Power
3rd Floor
Ben Dearg Suite
Forsyth House
93 George Street
EDINBURGH EH2 3ES
T + 44 131 240 1237
www.elpower.com

The new EP team has been reviewing the design of the project, working closely with the Council’s
Landscape Officer and EHO and Binn Farm Eco Park to achieve a design freeze. Since the last CLG
meeting in February, the layout has changed to take account of the constraints on the site, to
mitigate issues identified and to ensure that the design will produce renewable energy efficiently
and at the same time be environmentally acceptable for the location in which it sits.

The number of turbines has reduced from five to four and the height reduced from 125 m to 115 m.

Overall installed capacity will be between 8 to 9.2 MW depending final turbine choice. Modelling is
currently being undertaken on the Enercon E82 at 2.3 MW or Repower MM92 at 2.0 MW. Final
selection of turbine will depend upon noise modelling at neighbouring properties.
Key environmental design drivers have been landscape, noise and future plans for development at the Binn
Farm Eco Park.

Landscape – turbines have been moved to ensure a more coherent design from key viewpoints, as
requested by the PKC landscape officer. A selection of wirelines and photomontages using the 3D
model were shown to the group to demonstrate visibility.

Noise - Element Power is working closely with the PKE Environmental Health Officer (EHO) and
neighbours to ensure noise effects are mitigated appropriately. EP is currently meeting with
property owners.

Baseline surveys completed for ecology, ornithology, cultural heritage and hydrology. All
information has been fed into the design process.

Access – it is intended that construction traffic will come to site using the same route as Bin Eco
Park from the M90 and A912 avoiding villages. EP were made aware of some of the issues faced by
local people along this route and agreed to work closely with the CLG during the construction phase
in order to mitigate any concerns that may arise. A Transport Management Plan will be prepared
and agreed by PKC. EP confirmed that this would form part of contractor tendering process.

CLG confirmed they would inform Element Power about local events to inform decisions on timing
of deliveries.

Cabling is to be undergrounded on site. EP to check regarding cabling from site substation at
Abernethy.
Following the meeting EP’s grid consultant confirmed that EP is still working with SHEPD to confirm the grid
connection; however, it is almost certain that connection between our site substation and Abernethy will be
entirely by underground cable.
Exhibitions and Newsletter
Element Power Northern Europe Developments Limited
Registered in England and Wales | Registered Office: Meridien House, 42 Upper Berkeley Street, London W1H 5QJ | Company Number: 7445420
Element Power
3rd Floor
Ben Dearg Suite
Forsyth House
93 George Street
EDINBURGH EH2 3ES
T + 44 131 240 1237
www.elpower.com

Element Power sought advice from CLG on exhibition venues & timings. Agreed that exhibitions in
the four community council areas would be the preference (Glenfarg, Bridge of Earn, Abernethy,
Gateside).

JT said that exhibitions would be held at different times of the day to give everyone the opportunity
to attend at least one event.

Dates put forward were the 11th – 13th September.

It was agreed that exhibitions will focus on the wind farm only and not the wider Binn Eco Park
activities.

CLG suggested Heartland Radio, Perthshire Advertiser and the Courier for advertising exhibitions.

It was agreed that the newsletter would be distributed by mail to the 5,566 households identified
within an 8 k radius of the site.
Community Turbine
 MP briefed the CLG on the Glenfarg Renewable Energy Association’s interest in a community
turbine.
 There was discussion about the Community turbine and background to the idea.
 JT directed the group to the CARES website for advice.
 John Ferguson has reiterated his commitment to provide land for a community turbine, provided
that it is a joint community initiative which will benefit the four community council areas.
 It was confirmed that the potential project did not require input from Element Power.
Discussion on structure for Community benefit
 JT confirmed that the community benefit package would be based on £5,000 per MW.
 There was a discussion about the importance of agreeing a community benefit memorandum of
understanding between the four interested community councils and Element Power during the preconsent phase.,
 It was agreed to hold a meeting in October to discuss community benefit and to invite Foundation
Scotland, which administers the Lochelbank Fund.
AOB


JT to draft a Terms of Reference for the CLG which will include a clause confirming that attendance
at CLG meetings does not imply support or otherwise for the wind farm.
Terms of Reference to be discussed and agreed at the August meeting.
Date of next CLG - 21 August 2014
Element Power Northern Europe Developments Limited
Registered in England and Wales | Registered Office: Meridien House, 42 Upper Berkeley Street, London W1H 5QJ | Company Number: 7445420

Download Report