Agenda item

Consider report by Service Director Regulatory Services.  (Copy attached.  Due to the size of the document the accompanying Ironside Farrar report is published as a separate supplement to this agenda.)

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Robson declared an interest in the following two items of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the Chamber during their discussion.

With reference to paragraph 16 of the Minute of 22 December 2016, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Regulatory Services seeking approval of the Supplementary Guidance on Renewable Energy, as contained in Appendix 1 to the report.  The report explained that the draft Guidance had been subject to public consultation and Appendix 2 to the report contained details of the 33 representations received following that public consultation and officer responses to the points raised.  The report explained that although wind energy was the main component part of the Guidance, reference was also given to a range of other types of renewable energy which were considered the most common and emerging types where useful guidance could be given.  These other renewable energy types included micro-renewables including photovoltaic panels, field scale solar voltaics, biomass, energy from waste, anaerobic digestion, hydro and ground source heat pumps.  The report also detailed the amendments which had been made to the Guidance following the public consultation.  Members welcomed the Supplementary Guidance which was considered to strike the correct balance between meeting Government Policy and ensuring that development was located in the best place.

DECISION

AGREED to:-

(a)     approve the Supplementary Guidance, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)     note the representations received and responses within Appendix 2 to the report;

(c)      note the Environmental Report; and

(d)     forward the Supplementary Guidance to Scottish Ministers.