Planning submission and public inquiry process
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 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).
In October 2024, Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee objected to the application, triggering a public local inquiry, details of which will become available in due course.
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.
A copy of the Additional Information and all other application related information is also available below on this webpage under the section 'Additional Information documentation' as well as on the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit's (ECU's) planning portal at energyconsents.scot (Reference: ECU00004592).
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 Report (PAC) - 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.
Volume 1 - Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) Chapters:
Reports on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work undertaken and examines the potential effects of the wind farm.
- Volume 1 - Cover Page
- Volume 1 - Chapter 1 - Introduction
- Volume 1 - Chapter 2 - Project Description
- Volume 1 - Chapter 3 - Design Evolution and Alternatives
- Volume 1 - Chapter 4 - Approach to EIA
- Volume 1 - Chapter 5 - Planning and Policy Context
- Volume 1 - Chapter 6 - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
- Volume 1 - Chapter 7 - Cultural Heritage Assessment
- Volume 1 - Chapter 8 - Ecology Assessment
- Volume 1 - Chapter 9 - Ornithology
- Volume 1 - Chapter 10 - Hydrology, Geology & Hydrogeological Assessment
- Volume 1 - Chapter 11 - Access Traffic & Transport Assessment
- Volume 1 - Chapter 12 - Acoustic Assessment
- Volume 1 - Chapter 13 - Socio-economic
- Volume 1 - Chapter 14 - Aviation and Other Issues
- Volume 1 - Chapter 15 - Schedule of Mitigation & Residual Effects
Volume 2 - Figures:
Contains the figures (maps and drawings) associated with the EIA.
- Volume 2 - Cover Page
- Volume 2 - Chapter 1 - Figure 1.1 - Site Location
- Volume 2 - Chapter 1 - Figure 1.2 - Infrastructure Layout
- Volume 2 - Chapter 1 - Figure 1.3 - Turbine Layout
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.1a - Typical Wind Turbine Elevation (180m Tip Height)
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.1b - Typical Wind Turbine Elevation (200m Tip Height)
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.2a - Typical Wind Turbine Gravity Foundation
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.2b - Typical Wind Turbine Piled Foundation
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.3 - Crane Hardstanding General Arrangement
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.4 - Typical Access Track
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.5 - Typical Bottomless Culvert Water Crossing
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.6 Typical Cable Trench Details
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.7a - Substation Compound Layout - Plan
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.7b - Substation Compound Layout - Elevations
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.8 - Typical Telecommunications Mast
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.9a - Indicative BESS Compound Layout
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.9b - Indicative BESS Elevation View
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.10 - Indicative Borrow Pit General Arrangement
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.11 - Typical Batching Plant Layout
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.12a Temporary Construction Compound Layout Plan
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.12b - Temporary Construction Compound Elevation
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.13 - Temporary Enabling Works Compound During Construction Permanent Public Car Parking During Operation
- Volume 2 - Chapter 2 - Figure 2.14 - Site Access
- Volume 2 - Chapter 3 - Figure 3.1 - All Constraints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.1 - Site Location and Initial LVIA Study Area 35km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.2 - Site Location and Detailed LVIA Study Area 20 km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.3 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.4 - Blade Tip ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.5 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.6 - Hub Height ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.7 - Lit Turbine ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.8 - Turbine Lighting Intensity ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.9 - Landscape Designations within 35 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.10 - Landscape Designations within 20 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.11 - Landscape Designations to 20 km with Blade Tip ZTV and Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.12 - Landscape Character Types within 35 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.13 - Landscape Character Type within 20 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.14 - Landscape Character Types within 20 km with Blade Tip ZTV and Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.15 - Topography Plan to 35 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.16 - Local Landscape Context to 5 km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.17 - Principal Visual Receptors to 35 km with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.18 - Principal Visual Receptors to 20 km with Blade Tip ZTV and Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.19 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (NW Quadrant) with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.20 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (SW Quadrant) with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.21 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (NE Quadrant) with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.22 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (SE Quadrant) with Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.23 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (NW Quadrant) and Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.24 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (SW Quadrant) and Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.25 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (NE Quadrant) and Viewpoints
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.26 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.27 - Other Wind Farms within 35 km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.28 - Other Wind Farms within 20 km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.29 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.30 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational Mid Hill I & II
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.31 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational South Lasts Farm
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.32 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational Meikle Carewe
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.33 - Cumulative ZTV with Consented Under Construction Craigneil
- Volume 2 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.34 - Cumulative ZTV with Consented Under Construction Fetteresso
- Volume 2 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.1 - Non-designated Cultural Heritage Assets
- Volume 2 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.2 - Designated Cultural Heritage Assets
- Volume 2 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.3 - Viewpoint Locations
- Volume 2 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.4 - Indicative Cultural Heritage Enhancement
- Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - Figure 8.1 - Designated Sites
- Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - Figure 8.2a - Bat survey results, common pipistrelle
- Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - Figure 8.2b - Bat survey results, soprano pipistrelle
- Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - Figure 8.3 - Protected Species Results
- Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - Figure 8.4 - National Vegetation Classification Survey Results
- Volume 2 - Chapter 8 - Figure 8.5 - Areas of Potential Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.1 - Site Study Areas
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.2 - Ornithological Designations within 20km
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.3 - Vantage Points & Viewsheds
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.4 - Raptor Activity October 2020 to August 2022
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.5 - Flight Activity - Goshawk
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.6 - Flight Activity - Hen Harrier
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.7 - Flight Activity - Osprey
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.8 - Flight Activity - Peregrine
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.9 - Flight Activity - Red Kite
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.10 - Wader Activity
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.11 - Goose Swan Gull
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.12 - Flight Activity - Greylag Goose
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.13 - Flight Activity - Pink Footed Goose
- Volume 2 - Chapter 9 - Figure 9.14 - Flight Activity - Herring Gull
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.1 - Hydrological Overview
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.2 - Catchments
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.3 - Bedrock Geology
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.4 - Superficial Geology
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.5 - Peat Depth Survey
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.6 - GWDTE
- Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Figure 10.7 - PWS
- Volume 2 - Chapter 12 - Figure 12.1 - Predicted Sound Footprint
- Volume 2 - Chapter 13 - Figure 13.1 - Hill of Fare Masterplan
- Volume 2 - Chapter 14 - Figure 14.1 - Aviation Lighting Scheme
- Volume 2 - Chapter 14 - Figure 14.2 Shadow Flicker
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 3 - Cover Page
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.35 - VP1a
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.35 - VP1b
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.35 - VP1c
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.35- VP1d
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.35 - VP1e
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.35- VP1f
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.36 - VP2
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.37 - VP3
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.38 - VP4
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.39 - VP5
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.40 - VP6
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.41 - VP7
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.42 - VP8
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.43 - VP9
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.44 - VP10
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.45 - VP11
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.46 - VP12
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.47 - VP13
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.48 - VP14
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.49 - VP15
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.50 - VP16
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.51 - VP17
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.52 - VP18
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.53 - VP19_REVA
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.54 - VP20
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.55 - VP21
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.56 - VP22
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.57 - Wire 1
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.58 - Wire 2
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.59 - Wire 3
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.60 Wire 4
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.61 - Wire 5
- Volume 3 - Chapter 6 - Figure 6.62 - Wire 6
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.5 - P22-0724_300_Barmekin of Echt
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.6 - P22-0724_301_Sunhoney_a
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.6 - P22-0724_301_Sunhoney_b
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.6 - P22-0724_301_Sunhoney_c
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.7 - P22-0724_302_Midmar Castle_a
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.7 - P22-0724_302_Midmar Castle_b
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.7 - P22-0724_302_Midmar Castle_c
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure7.8_p22_0724_303_Cullerie Stone Circle_a
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure7.8_P22-0724_303_Cullerie Stone Circle_b
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure7.8_P22-0724_303_Cullerie Stone Circle 3_c
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.9a-7.9d Heritage Wirelines Christchurch Stone
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.10a-7.10c Heritage Wirelines New Wester Echt
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.11a- 7.11d Heritage Wirelines Upper Broomhill
- Volume 3 - Chapter 7 - Figure 7.12a-7.12b Heritage Wirelines Midmar Motte
Volume 4 - Technical Appendices:
Contains the data supporting the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
- Volume 4 - Chapter 2 - Technical Appendix 2.1- Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan
- Volume 4 - Chapter 2 - Technical Appendix 2.2 - Outline Borrow Pit Management Plan
- Volume 4 - Chapter 4 - Technical Appendix 4.1 - EIA Scoping Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 4 - Technical Appendix 4.2 - EIA Scoping Opinion
- Volume 4 - Chapter 4 - Technical Appendix 4.3 - ECU Gatecheck Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 4 - Technical Appendix 4.4 - Further Consultation
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.1 - Assessment Criteria
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.2 - Visualisation Information
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.3 - Preliminary Assessment LCTs & Designations
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.4 - Preliminary Assessment of Visual Receptors
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.5 - Viewpoint Assessment
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.6 - RVAA Assessment
- Volume 4 - Chapter 6 - Technical Appendix 6.7 - Assessment of Night-time Lighting
- Volume 4 - Chapter 7 - Technical Appendix - 7.1 - Cultural Heritage Gazetteer
- Volume 4 - Chapter 7 - Technical Appendix 7.2 - Cultural Heritage Screening Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 8 - Technical Appendix 8.1 - Bat Survey Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 8 - Technical Appendix 8.2 - Protected Species Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 8 - Technical Appendix 8.3 - National Vegetation Classification Survey Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 8 - Technical Appendix 8.4 - Fish Habitat Survey Report
- Volume 4 - Chapter 8 - Technical Appendix 8.5 - Outline Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plan
- Volume 4 - Chapter 8 - Technical Appendix 8.6 - Ecological Desk Study
- Volume 4 - Chapter 9 - Technical Appendix 9.1 - Ornithology
- Volume 4 - Chapter 10 - Technical Appendix 10.1 - Peat Landslide Risk Assessment
- Volume 4 - Chapter 10 - Technical Appendix 10.1 - PLRA - Appendix C.1
- Volume 4 - Chapter 10 - Technical Appendix 10.1 - PLRA - Appendix C.2
- Volume 4 - Chapter 10 - Technical Appendix 10.1 - PLRA - Appendix C.3
- Volume 4 - Chapter 10 - Technical Appendix 10.2 - Peat Management Plan
- Volume 4 - Chapter 10 - Technical Appendix 10.3 - PWS within 2 km of Proposed Development infrastructure
- Volume 4 - Chapter 11 - Technical Appendix 11.1 - Abnormal Load Routeing Assessment
- Volume 4 - Chapter 11 - Technical Appendix 11.2 - Estimated Traffic Flows
- Volume 4 - Chapter 11 - Technical Appendix 11.3 - Site Access Plans
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.1 - Assessment of Battery Energy Storage Facility
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.2 - Issues Scoped Out of Wind Farm Acoustic Assessment
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.3 - Calculating Standardised Wind Speed
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.4 - Background Noise Survey Photos
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.5 - Instrumentation Records
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.6 - Charts
- Volume 4 - Chapter 12 - Technical Appendix 12.7 - Suggested Planning Conditions
- Volume 4 - Chapter 14 - Technical Appendix 14.1 - Hill of Fare Carbon Calculator
- Volume 4 - Chapter 14 - Technical Appendix 14.2 - Detailed UXO Risk Assessment
Additional Information documentation
Public Notice - As published in the Press & Journal and the Edinburgh Gazette newspapers
- Additional Information - Report
- Additional Information - Appendix 1 - Dunecht Estate PWSRA
- Additional Information - Appendix 2 - Updated TA 10.3 PWS Appendix
- Additional Information - Appendix 3 - Figure 10.7 PWS
- Additional Information - Appendix 4 - PMP
- Additional Information - Appendix 5 - NatureScot and RSPB post EIA Response
- Additional Information - Appendix 6 - Response to HES
- Additional Information - Appendix 7 - Figure 6.44 VP10 including site access tracks
- Additional Information - Appendix 8 - Figure 7.4 Indicative cultural heritage enhancement
- Additional Information - Solar Study