Green light for Fetlar turbine

PLANS for an 11 kilowatt wind turbine to power Leagarth House, on the island of Fetlar, have been given the go ahead, despite objections from the local community council as well as a neighbour.

Councillors on Shetland Islands Council’s planning committee heard that the development complied with all local policies.

However, Fetlar Community Council said local residents were already suffering from noise pollution caused by another small wind turbine in the vicinity, and was therefore not prepared to support a development “that might prove intolerable” to any of the island’s residents.

During a brief hearing on Tuesday, the planning committee heard that the noise from the existing turbine belonging to the Fetlar Interpretive Centre might however be due to lack of maintenance.

A complaint was currently being investigated by the council’s environmental health department, the committee heard.

After assurances from the planning officers that the 20 metre high Leagarth turbine would not cause similar noise pollution, councillors unanimously approved the application.