Fife Council has given the go ahead for seven potential wind farm sites in the area.

On Tuesday, the local authority confirmed it had supported plans to invest in turbines at Lochhead and Lower Melville Wood landfill sites which already have planning consent. Councillors also instructed officials to apply for planning permission at:

• Cotlands Park, Kennoway

• Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre

• Halbeath Park and Ride

• Inverkeithing High School

• Pitreavie Playing Fields, Dunfermline.

The investment in wind power projects is just one of the ways the local authority is trying to reduce its energy costs and carbon emissions, as well as to generate income to protect front line services.

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A number of studies have been carried out on 25 areas of land which have a council building next to them, and the results found that a majority are no longer viable due to technical or planning restraints. Other feasibility studies into the potential wind farm developments that would feed all of the council's power into the grid are also being carried out, as are ecological surveys to determine the potential impact on birds and wildlife.

Depute Council Leader, Lesley Laird, said: "I welcome this decision which means this project can continue to move ahead. The committee also heard today about the financial challenges facing the council and it's important that the council starts to think differently and explore ways in which we can generate money for the people of Fife.

"The council spent £13 million on energy bills last year so it's not an option to continue with the status quo. This project is just one part of the council's energy strategy which has been drawn up to help reduce carbon emissions and cut the council's energy bills.

"It's vital we show communities that the council's starting point is to get its own house in order by exploring new ways of doing things that can generate income against a backdrop of budget cuts so that we can continue to find ways to defend front line services for all communities in Fife."

(JP/IT)