Introduction

Ridge Clean Energy are developing a renewable energy park at Ladyfield Plantation, Scotland. This is a forestry site on the east side of Glen Aray, approximately 4.7km north of Inveraray at its closest point.

We will keep the public up to date on the progress of the proposal via this website, posting news on:

  • The Project
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report
  • Project Timeline
  • Public Consultation
  • Community Partnership

You can also contact the project team or take our survey on ideas for how Ladyfield Renewable Energy Park can support the local community.

  View Site Boundary
Ridge Clean Energy

Project Outline

Ladyfield was first identified as a potential wind farm site several years ago, and environmental surveys have been ongoing at the site since early 2020.

The project now consists of approximately 15 turbines (reduced from 18), with a total capacity of between 50 and 70 Megawatts (MW), and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

The current proposals include for turbines up to a tip height of 180 metres, which has been reduced from the previously proposed 200 metres.

It is our intention to submit our Section 36 application to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (ECU) in Q3 2023.

Infrastructure & Environmental Surveys

Ancillary infrastructure will also be required as part of the new wind farm, which will likely include a substation, turbine transformers, new and upgraded access track, temporary construction compound, crane hardstandings and a permanent meteorological mast. The connection to the National Grid will be subject to a separate consent application.

Environmental surveys at Ladyfield will continue throughout 2022 which will further inform the design of the project. Specialist surveys being undertaken include (but are not limited to):

  • Two years of bird surveys;
  • Ecology surveys, including for vegetation, bats and protected species such as badger and otter;
  • Ground conditions surveys such as peat probing;
  • Hydrology surveys;
  • Visual impact surveys;
  • Background noise surveys; and
  • Traffic surveys

Our proposals and designs for the site will be guided by data gathered during surveys, and by advice provided by independent environmental consultants.

Wind Generation

68MW

Battery Storage

68MW

Homes Powered

Equivalent amount of power as is used by ~50,000 homes

  Project Timeline

Environmental Surveys - Q1 2020 to Q2 2022

The project team have been undertaking environmental surveys for the past 15 months, and these will continue until spring 2022. On Completion of the surveys, all information will be collated to inform the design of the wind farm.

Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline

Scoping - Q3 2021

To inform the ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment, Ridge Clean Energy submitted a Scoping Request to the Scottish Government in June 2021. The Scottish Government invited organisations such as NatureScot, Argyll and Bute Council and local community councils to feed into its Scoping Opinion, which was received in March 2022.

The Scoping Request and Scoping Opinion are available to be viewed on the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit page, under reference: ECU00003291.

Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline

Public Consultation - Q3 2021 to Q4 2022

In August 2021 we held our first public exhibition online due to COVID-19 restrictions. We have also held in-person public exhibitions in early February 2022 and October 2022.

The aim of these events is to keep the local community updated on the project, answering any questions and recording any feedback on the proposed renewable energy park.

Following submission of the planning application to the Scottish Government, the public will be able to provide formal representations to the Scottish Government directly.

Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline

Design Evolution and Environmental Assessment - Q4 2021 to Q4 2022

Since the Scoping Request, we have gathered more survey data and had initial feedback from the public on our proposals; consequently, we have undertaken an initial review of the wind farm layout prepared for Scoping and refined the design.

The design process is iterative, and we are seeking to develop a design which optimises the balance between the site performance and environmental effects. This process will continue to identify measures to eliminate, avoid, reduce or mitigate any potentially significant effects where possible.

The layout will continue to evolve based on constraints, responses from statutory consultees and feedback from this public consultation. Updates to the layout will evolve throughout 2023 and details will be made available on this website.

Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline

Preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report

Following completion of survey work, work is underway to prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. This is a series of assessments of the potential environmental effects of a project, undertaken by specialist environmental and technical consultants. This will cover the following areas:

  • Landscape and Visual;
  • Ornithology;
  • Ecology;
  • Archaeology and Cultural Heritage;
  • Hydrology and Hydrogeology;
  • Geology and Peat;
  • Noise;
  • Traffic and Transport;
  • Forestry;
  • Socio-economics, Land Use and Tourism;
  • Shadow Flicker; and
  • Aviation

Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline

Submission of a Section 36 Application to Scottish Government - Q3 2023

An application to build and operate the development will be submitted to the ECU, known as a Section 36 application. There will be a period of consultation where members of the public will have the right to make representation to the Scottish Ministers on the development proposal.

Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline Ridge Clean Energy - Project Timeline

Consultation

We have now held four public consultation events since project inception:

  • One online public exhibition in August 2021;
  • Two in-person public exhibitions in February 2022; and
  • One in-person event in October 2022.

You can provide us with any further comments, feedback, and questions using the ‘Contact Us’ link above.

Public Exhibition Banners - February 2022

What We Do

Successful projects require alignment of interests amongst landowners, communities, policy makers, and businesses.

The Ridge team works hard to understand interests and build enduring partnerships.

  Community Partnerships

RCE invests time and energy during the development stage to build a working relationship locally. Since 2020, RCE has been working with community leaders and groups in the town of Inveraray, near to the Ladyfield project.

After initial discussions with the community, it was made apparent that the town’s pier had fallen into disrepair after being bought by a private owner, making it unusable and therefore closed to the public. The community wanted this former asset to be restored and reopened once again.

Our team worked swiftly, applying for funding from various sources on behalf of the community. We can proudly say we were successful, raising funds of over £244,000, enabling the community to purchase the pier and carry out necessary restoration works to open it once again to the public. More information on the Inveraray Pier Project can be found here.

RCE is also fully aware of the impact the current energy crisis is having on people, and on completion of the project, is planning to work with the community to provide financial and practical support. With this in mind, RCE has already provided funding to support the ‘Warm Spaces’ initiative in the community. RCE has also supported work at Nicoll Hall for Inveraray Senior Citizens, the Breakfast Club at the Primary School.

  Community Benefits

We are keen to identify other local initiatives for which our community expertise and seed capital may be useful. We want to support existing community projects and help new local ideas become reality, whilst supporting the community’s path to Net Zero.

If you have any ideas for how Ladyfield REP can support your local community, please take our survey below, or contact us via the ‘Contact Us’ tab above.

  Our Experience

We have an experienced Community Partnership Team that work with local communities to create enduring local benefits.

Each project is assigned a Community Partnership Coordinator, who will forge relationships with key stakeholders in the area to identify and develop local initiatives and ideas that will support the community and its path to Net Zero.

Alongside our experience, we can also provide up-front seed capital and support with fundraising for local projects, allowing a community to benefit right from the beginning of the partnership.

  Community Survey

Please note that any comments sent via the channels outlined above do not constitute a formal representation to the Scottish Government. There will be an opportunity to submit formal representations to the Scottish Government upon submission of a planning application.

  Comments

Providing comments or requesting a call back from a member of the project team using the forms below.

  Email

Email us a comment or enquiry via the following email address ladyfield@theridgegroup.com.

  Post

Or write to: Ridge Clean Energy, Noah's Ark, Market Street, Charlbury, OX7 3PL.

  Get In Touch

  Ladyfield REP News