A MASSIVE drive to increase the amount of wind energy generated in Britain will have a significant effect on buyers of rural property in Scotland, according to experts.

But future planning for wind farms can have a positive or negative effect on values, depending on the types of property, with some buyers desperate to avoid having their views obstructed, while others are looking for land to develop to take advantage of new renewable energy targets.

Matthew Sinclair, Director of Saint Property, says: “It is crucial for those looking to avoid purchasing a property on the vicinity of a planned wind farm that they carry out thorough research first or seek expert advice.”

This “dash for wind” is the result of tough European climate change targets which state that Britain must generate 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010, the “lion’s share” of which will come from wind.  Over the next ten years, the Government is aiming to build 10,000 new wind turbines on land and at sea to meet this target.

By law, a tenth of the electricity sold by energy companies must come from green sources this year and this figure will rise to 15 per cent by 2015.

“Scotland is well places in terms of renewable resources”, says Sinclair.  “The Scottish Government is on course to exceed aims to generate over 30 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2011 and recently raised its target from 50 per cent to 80 per cent by 2010, with the number of turbines in the country set to treble to almost 4,000 by the end of 2012.”

Scotland is home to Whitlee, Europe’s largest onshore wind farm.  It is set for a further expansion which will make it one of the biggest wind farms in the world.

Sinclair says: “Most buyers of rural property do not want their new home to be situated close to a wind farm, due to the turbines being perceived as an eyesore and causing a certain amount of sound pollution.”

But he says that his company also has a number of clients on its books who are looking to develop wind farms.  He believes the two parties can exist happily together in rural Scotland, with careful planning and consideration on both sides.

“Wind farm developments are often met with fierce opposition from local communities, so choosing an appropriate location is a key factor”, says Matthew Sinclair.  “Applications are very likely to be turned down if the development will affect designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Other considerations are how reliable the wind is at this location and access to the grid.  Locations along the Beauly to Denny power line, from the Highlands to Falkirk, will be key targets for development.”

And the new opportunities don’t just exist for large land owners or business investors.  Owners of rural property can in fact make the most of Scotland’s wind resources themselves with a small wind turbine, if their property is suitable.  With new technology and the introduction of Feed-In Tariffs this year, which pay out to those who generate their own “clean” electricity, payback time has dropped in many cases from 35 years to ten, and owners are protected from any future energy price increases.  In addition, there are capital tax allowances, and banks are increasingly looking  favourably on this type of investment.

An interesting angle on this is the expected rise in community ownership of wind turbines, such as that in Findhorn Eco Village in Moray.

For landowners, leasing to wind farm developers can generate annual rent of approximately £7,500 per turbine, which will increase after ten years and then again after 20.  It can also still be possible to utilise the land around the turbines, so in many cases agriculture can continue.