18 December 2013 - RES TO APPEAL KINTYRE WIND FARM DECISION

Leading renewable energy developer RES has announced today its intention to appeal against Argyll and Bute Council's refusal for Freasdail Wind Farm. The appeal for the 11-turbine project near Whitehouse on the Kintyre Peninsula will be submitted this week to the Scottish Government's Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).

Neil Martin, RES Development Project Manager, said: "RES remains firmly of the view that Freasdail is an appropriate location for a wind farm and the project will not impact on any nationally or regionally important landscape features. We are therefore submitting this appeal within the deadlines set out by the Scottish Government. We understand that Argyll and Bute Council will be notifying all parties who previously submitted representations to the planning application just after New Year in order to avoid the holiday period. Anyone who wishes to raise further comment will then be able to do so within two weeks of receiving their notification from the Council by writing to the DPEA."

RES submitted plans for Freasdail Wind Farm in October 2012 following an extensive period of consultation with the local community. As well as providing a safe, secure and low-carbon source of electricity - enough to meet the average needs of up to 13,000 homes - the wind farm could bring significant benefits to the local community. Almost 280 properties near the site are eligible for a £235 annual discount off their electricity bills and the wind farm could provide a community fund to support local social, environmental and educational projects, bringing the total benefits to the community to more than £2.75 million over the project's lifetime.

The company has already shown its commitment to the area by pledging its support for the Kintyre Way. RES has agreed to provide £30,000 of funding over three years to the long distance walking route. The project is now in its second year and has provided much welcomed assistance to the management of the route.

Neil Martin, continued: "The limited and localised landscape impacts of the project will not generate an overall impact that justifies refusal of planning permission when balanced against the benefits of renewable energy the project can deliver."

A detailed Statement of Appeal will be lodged by RES with the DPEA and it will be available to view in due course on the DPEA website along with all supporting documentation.