E.ON to appeal over Scottish wind farm rejection

LONDON (Reuters) - E.ON UK is to appeal against a local government refusal to grant planning permission for a wind farm at Auchencorth Moss in Scotland, the German-owned utility said on Thursday.

Midlothian Council rejected the plan to build a 45-megawatt onshore wind farm neat Penicuik in February, despite the project's potential to contribute towards Britain's already challenging renewable energy targets.

"We were disappointed in the decision made by Midlothian Council as we believe that Auchencorth Moss is the ideal location for the wind farm and a fantastic opportunity to help tackle the global threat of climate change," Darren Cuming, E.ON's onshore wind manager said.

"We are now satisfied that our proposal will comply with Scottish Government and Local Plan policy, with minimal impact on the environment and the local population."

E.ON says its 18-turbine wind farm could produce enough clean energy to supply up to 24,000 homes, saving over 43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Planning decisions on projects of over 50 megawatts are taken by central government in Scotland or London, but smaller wind farm planning decisions are made by local government.

(Reporting by Daniel Fineren, editing by Anthony Barker)