Plans lodged for Viking compounds

PRE application notices (PANs) have been lodged for two large compounds for the construction of the Viking Energy wind farm.

The two areas opposite the Sand Water Loch and at the Scord of Tresta, measuring six hectares and four hectares respectively, would “support the construction phase of the proposed Viking Wind Farm”.

The notifications, which come before official applications are made, were lodged with Shetland Islands Council planning department on 15 March while on 18 March an application was made for planning permission for road improvements to the B9075 between the Upper Kergord junction and the Sand Water junction.

The larger of the two compounds, known as the “Main Camp Site”, is on the east side of the main north/south A970 opposite Sand Water, which is a site of special scientific interest. Its entrance is about 650m south of the Sand Water junction.

The “West Camp Site” is planned for the ground north of the A971 at the high point between Weisdale and Tresta, where there is an existing access to works.

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There will be public consultation on the proposals before the formal applications are made in the summer.

A further camp is to be built 3km south of Voe on the east side of the A970 main road, which does not require a pre-application notification.

The improved B9075 would see new two-lane stretches being built to the north of the existing road, which would be kept open for public use during wind farm construction. Following that some of the old road areas would be reinstated and a stretch retained to allow access to Sand Water.