Clash Gour Airspace Change Proposal
Force 9 Energy and EDF Renewables, through its subsidiary Clash Gour Holdings Ltd has today launched a consultation relating to changes to the airspace around the consented Clash Gour Wind Farm. The consultation will close on Wednesday 31st May 2023.
Clash Gour Wind Farm was consented by Scottish Ministers in October 2022. The consent includes a set of conditions which control how the project should be developed and built.
The conditions require that agreement should be reached with both Inverness Airport and Royal Air Force Lossiemouth on a solution to ensure that Air Traffic Control services are not adversely affected by the wind farm (a radar mitigation solution).
We are exploring several ideas for a radar mitigation solution, including an ‘Airspace Change Proposal’ (ACP), which is the subject of this consultation.
The proposed ACP is seeking to introduce a ‘Transponder Mandatory Zone’ (TMZ) in the airspace above and around Clash Gour. It means that to fly above the wind farm, an aircraft will need to carry a ‘transponder’, a piece of equipment typically carried by most aircraft, which provides air traffic control with an accurate location and height of the aircraft. This will not result in any changes to the regular flight patterns of the majority of aircraft in the area.
All ACPs must be managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and follow CAA procedures. Guidance on the regulatory process for changing the notified airspace design is available in the CAA Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 1616. Full details of what ‘Airspace Change’ means can be seen on the CAAs website:
https://airspacechange.caa.co.uk/about-airspace-change/
Agreement on the proposed TMZ is one of the mechanisms which will therefore allow Clash Gour wind farm to be built and the expected benefits of the project to be fulfilled.
Consultation Events
In support of this consultation, we will be holding a number of events – both virtual and in-person – to share information, receive feedback, and answer any questions you may have.
Virtual Consultation Events
To join one of our virtual consultation sessions, please email clashgouracp@consultation-online.co.uk for joining details.
- Thursday 20th April, 6pm – 8pm: Online
- Tuesday 25th April, 6pm – 8pm: Online
In-Person Consultation Events
We will also be holding two in-person events, where members of the public and all those with an interest in the ACP will be welcome to attend.
- Wednesday 19th April, 2pm – 7pm: Forres Town Hall, Forres, IV36 1PB
- Thursday 27th April, 2pm – 7pm: Elgin Town Hall, Elgin, IV30 1UL
Responding to the Consultation
This consultation is being carried out in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements. Details of the ACP, including all previous work undertaken, can be found on the CAA airspace change portal at the following link:
https://airspacechange.caa.co.uk/PublicProposalArea?pID=403
It is important to note that all consultation responses must be submitted via the CAA Citizen Space consultation website. This can be accessed via the following link:
https://consultations.airspacechange.co.uk/clash-gour-holdings-ltd/clash-gour-wind-farm/
Please note, email responses to the consultation will not be accepted. All response should be submitted via the CAA Citizen Space consultation website.
Next Steps
The consultation will run for a 9-week period, ending on Wednesday 31st May 2023. We look forward to welcoming all those with an interest in the ACP to one of our consultation events.
If you have any questions or require further information about the consultation events, please contact: clashgouracp@consultation-online.co.uk