Energy / Eleven objections to proposed car park at Viking compound
A FLURRY of objections have been lodged against plans for a car park at a Viking Energy wind farm construction compound south of Voe – with one saying the proposal is “ridiculous”.
The development – which would include a picnic area – is being proposed by SSE Renewables to as a way of giving people better access to the wind farm’s tracks once they are open to the public.
The wind farm is set to go live later this year and once it is operational people will be able to walk and cycle along its many tracks, as well as ride horses.
But after a planning application was submitted for the development a number of objections have reared their head.
Sustainable Shetland chairman Frank Hay said in his view the car park proposal is “likely to be a cheaper option” that the reinstatement of compound, which is required as per planning conditions.
“Putting a car park in such a location is, quite frankly, ridiculous,” he wrote.
“There is already a car park at the Vidlin junction a mile down the road from the proposed car park which is more than adequate for this area.”
Hay also raised safety concerns about the access to the car park from the main A970 road, which includes a nearby blind summit.
At the time of writing there have been 11 objections in total, from Sustainable Shetland and also members of the public.
The objections cover a range of topics, including the location of the car park, a desire to see the site reinstated as planned and also the possible environmental impact.
Delting Community Council also responded to the planning application.
Members stated that they want to see the plans rearranged for the access road to the site to be further down the hill to make more use of the old road.
They also sought reassurances that the speed limit would be reduced in this area when the car park becomes operational.
The council’s roads service did not offer any objections.
The development also includes a storage container for all-terrain wheelchairs. A meeting of the Viking Energy community liaison group previously heard an agreement had been reached with local charity Ability Shetland regarding the use of all-terrain wheelchairs on the site.
In a recent newsletter on Shetland’s energy projects, SSE Renewables said: “North compound located at Scars Quilse was previously utilised as a batching plant compound.
“It is proposed a section of this area will be redeveloped into a carpark with picnic area.
“Providing additional recreation facilities, and offering easier access for the community and visitors, to the wind farm tracks in the north of the site and Mid Kames ridge area.”
A permanent car park is also planned near to the new Sandwater Road further south.
No consent is needed for that development because it was part of planning conditions. It will be located close to the B9075 and A970 junction.
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