19-turbine Comrie windfarm plans lodged as nearby 'energy park' talks open

The Courier12-06-2025

Plans for a 19-turbine windfarm near Comrie have gone to the Scottish Government for approval.
The Glen Lednock turbines would stand 200 metres tall at their tips.
The company behind them, Low Carbon, has lodged an application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit.
The turbines are part of a larger 'rewilding' strategy being led by Invergeldie Estate owners Oxygen Conservation.
It comes as developers prepare to consult locals on another major renewables project at Fowlis Wester, on the other side of Crieff.
The plans for the Meallbrodden 'energy park' on the Abercairney Estate include eight 200-metre turbines, 60,000 solar panels and battery storage units.
Low Carbon says it has 'actively engaged' with residents in St Fillans and Comrie since the Glen Lednock windfarm project went public in November 2023.
Craig Cunningham, the company's senior project development manager, says the goal is to achieve 'carbon payback' in less than a year and a half, after which the turbines should begin to make a net positive contribution to reducing carbon emissions.
'The final design has been shaped by a significant amount of site survey work as well as extensive consultation with the local community,' he added.
Low Carbon says it will put £5,000 for every megawatt of energy generated by the Glen Lednock turbines into a community benefit fund every year.
This could add up to £589,000 a year to be spent on local projects.
The full application, including an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and supporting documents, can be viewed here or on the Scottish Government's Energy Consents website.
Consultation sessions for the Meallbrodden project will be held in Fowlis Wester Village Hall on June 18 from 4-8pm, and at Strathearn Community Campus, Crieff, on June 19 from 4-8pm.
It is being spearheaded by Eurowind Energy Ltd.
And due to its size, it will also be decided by the Scottish Government, rather than Perth and Kinross Council.
The Danish company says its community benefit fund could provide up to £280,000 a year for local projects.
But critics say the moorland site, which includes a loch, stone circles, standing stones, Roman remains, ancient forest and native species, is not suitable.
And they have raised concerns about the cumulative impact of renewable energy projects across the area.

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Festivals given £3m in Government funding

Leader Live

17 hours ago

Leader Live

Festivals given £3m in Government funding

The events will receive a share of the £2.8 million Festivals Expo Fund, and Festivals Edinburgh will get £200,000 from Creative Scotland for branding and marketing support for the events in the capital. The Expo Fund spending has increased from £1.7 million last year. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will receive £670,000, while the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be given £200,000, the same amount as for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'Scotland's festivals are our cultural shopfront to the rest of the world. 'As well as offering performers and creatives an unrivalled international platform, they also deliver an annual economic uplift to businesses, jobs and livelihoods right across the country. 'This year's funding increase for the existing Expo festivals cohort represents an increase of £1 million across the 14 festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the first in 10 years. 'It recognises the success of festivals in shaping and supporting hundreds of commissions, enhancing the ambitions of thousands of Scottish artists and attracting audiences in the millions for Expo-supported work since the fund's creation in 2007. 'From this foundation we will expand the reach of the Expo fund across the whole of Scotland, and I am working with festivals across the country through the strategic festivals partnership to realise this commitment.' Dana MacLeod, executive director of arts, communities and inclusion at Creative Scotland, welcomed the funding, saying it will enable festivals to 'commission bold ideas, develop creative collaborations and present high-quality programmes for audiences in Scotland and internationally'. Lori Anderson, director of Festivals Edinburgh, said: 'Today's announcement is welcome news for our festivals and for Scotland's cultural sector, ensuring that the guiding principle of the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund – to showcase Scottish talent to the world on the country's premier festival platforms – continues to successfully support creative careers.'