Final plans for an 18-turbine wind farm at Dava, near Grantown-on-Spey, will be on display for members of the public next month.
Vattenfall, the company behind the plans for the Ourack Wind Farm, has announced plans for an in-person community information session on 8 September from 3pm to 7pm at The Pagoda in Grantown-on-Spey.
The proposed Ourack Wind Farm would be located 10km north of Grantown-on-Spey and immediately east of Dava. The current proposal is for a development consisting of 18 turbines with a blade tip height of 180m. Vattenfall is keen meet the local community and answer questions about the project before a formal submission takes place at the end of September 2022.
The proposals also bring significant economic opportunities for the local community. In addition to opportunities for local businesses during the construction and operation of the windfarm, the community benefit fund, with a value of £5,000 per installed MW per year, will aid a range of local projects and initiatives, from environmental improvements to funding of local groups.
How this money is spent will be up to the local community. Vattenfall has already held discussions with the wider community to explore the best way forward and will continue to work alongside local people to maximise these benefits.
Previously, two online digital consultations took place in December 2020 and January 2021 following Scottish Government guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The September session will be hosted by senior members of the project team who will be available to answer questions about the project design.
Members of the community are encouraged to come along and view information about the project, as well as take the opportunity to ask members of the project team any questions.
Vattenfall has issued a flyer to the local community to inform as many people as possible of the details of the session and how they can participate.
A digital version of the exhibition boards from the session will be available to view online for anyone unable to make the event. Online attendees can submit their questions through email to members of the senior project team.
Due to the capacity of the wind farm exceeding 50MW, the application will be decided by the Scottish Government under section 36 of the Electricity Act.
Alison Daugherty, Project Manager for Vattenfall, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to meet the community in person and answer questions about our proposals for Ourack.”
“It is important for us to make these events as accessible as possible, and it is great to be able to open engagement in-person and digitally.
“We were fortunate to have excellent engagement at our two digital consultations early last year, and we have listened to the feedback we received.”
“Ahead of a formal submission, we’re keen to engage with the local community, listen to all views, and provide as much detail as possible regarding the proposals for Ourack and the opportunities and funding for the local area.”
“Vattenfall is committed to working closely with the community, and all of the project team are looking forward to progressing these discussions as an end of September date approaches.”