Pre-Application Consultation Event Announced for Hoy

Later this month we'll be presenting revised plans for a seven-turbine wind farm in Hoy to the public.

This pre-application consultation event will allow folk to provide input in advance of a planning application being submitted later this year.

We presented initial plans for the development at a public event in January last year. Various studies have been carried out since then, which have led to some proposed changes to the layout of the site. You can check out the plans we displayed in January here https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Files/Strategic_Projects/Hoy_Wind_Farm_proposals-changes.pdf

along with a report on the feedback we got from the public here - https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Files/Strategic_Projects/Hoy_January_2019_event_feedback_report.pdf

Our revised plans, which also include new and upgraded access tracks, a met mast, a substation compound and a temporary construction compound - will now be on show at a public event in the North Walls Centre in Hoy on Thursday 26 March – and available on the Council website shortly - and through this project blog - afterwards.

Details of the Hoy event are as follows - Thursday 26 March 2020 in the Community Room and Hall at the North Walls Centre, Lyness, KW16 3NX from 14.00 to 17.00 and again from 19.00 to 21.00.

Members of the Council’s project team will be on hand to talk people through the plans and discuss any questions or comments they may have. Feedback sheets will be available to fill in at the event or to take away and fill in before submitting to the project team.

So why are we holding this event?

We're intending to submit a planning application for the project within the coming months, and this event will give folk the opportunity to comment on those plans beforehand in what’s known as ‘Pre-Application Consultation’ - its a statutory requirement for major developments like these.

By carrying our pre-application consultation, communities are better informed about major and national development proposals and have an opportunity to contribute their views before a formal planning application is submitted to the planning authority.

It doesn't take away the need for, and right of, individuals and communities to express formal views to the planning authority during the planning application process itself. It is important, therefore, for communities and others to follow their interest in a proposal through to the planning application stage, when views can be made to the planning authority before it before determines the application.

It needs to be remembered though, that comments made to us through this PAC process are not representations to the planning authority. When we submit the planning application, the normal neighbour notification and publicity will be undertaken, and you will have an opportunity to make representations on the application to the planning authority at that time.

The information shown at the events and feedback forms will be available on the this blog and on the OIC website from Friday 27 March 2020.

Further information about the development may also be obtained by contacting Kirsty Groundwater, Project Officer, Orkney Islands Council.

The deadline for submitting comments to the Project Team will be Tuesday 14 April 2020 at 12:00 to;

Postal address: Kirsty Groundwater, Project Officer, Orkney Islands Council, Town House, 13 Victoria Street, Stromness, KW16 3AA

Email: kirsty.groundwater@orkney.gov.uk

Phone: 01856852272