In November 2023, RES submitted a Section 36 application to Scottish Minsters for consent under the Electricity Act 1989 for a 16-turbine wind farm proposal at Hill of Fare in Aberdeenshire.

The planning application and supporting information, including the extensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), can be viewed and downloaded below.

In October 2024, Aberdeenshire Council objected to the application, triggering a public local inquiry (PLI). The PLI occurred from Tuesday 2 September 2025 to Thursday 11 September at Banchory Town Hall. Following the PLI, the appointed Reporter at the Department of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) will submit a report and a final determination will be made by Scottish Ministers thereafter.

Additional information submission

In August 2024, RES submitted Additional Information to Scottish Ministers in support of the application, this included further assessment work on matters including ornithology and hydrology in response to feedback received during the Scottish Government's statutory consultation.

Public Notice - As published in the Press & Journal and the Edinburgh Gazette newspapers

Planning application and documentation

Public notice - As published in the Deeside Piper, The Scotsman and the Edinburgh Gazette newspapers.

Planning and Sustainable Place Statement - Examines the national and local planning policy context for the Hill of Fare Wind Farm proposal, and the balance which needs to be struck between the need for wind energy development and the effect of the proposed development on the local environment. It also takes account of the benefits which could arise from the construction and operation of the development.

Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report - Explains how and when the community was consulted before the planning application for the redesigned proposal for Hill of Fare Wind Farm was submitted to Scottish Ministers and how RES has responded to feedback from the community regarding the proposal.

Non-Technical Summary (NTS) - Summarises the application and contains the key findings from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work.

Viewing the application

The associated documentation is available to view on this page below and also on the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (ECU) planning portal at energyconsents.scot (reference ECU00004592).

Site location

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Infrastructure layout

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Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR):

Volume 1: Chapters

Reports on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work undertaken and examines the potential effects of the wind farm.

Volume 2: Figures

Contains the figures (maps and drawings) associated with the EIA.

Volume 3: Visualisations

Contains the wirelines and photomontages, produced to NatureScot specifications, which help to give an impression of what how the proposal may look from a number of agreed viewpoints within the area.

Volume 4: Technical Appendices:

Contains the data supporting the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.