??Dr Vincent Onyango and colleagues Barbara Illsley and in Architecture and Urban Planning have received funding from the ClimateXChange to explore current national and international practice on separation distances between areas of search for onshore wind farms and the edge of cities, towns and villages.  Current Scottish Planning Policy recommends a minimum separation distance of 2km. The main aims of the study are:

• To clarify the provenance and rationale for the 2km criterion;
• To provide evidence and rationale for changing the 2km criterion;
• To provide recommendations on how policy could address the increasing size of turbines and what an appropriate buffer might be. 

The final report is due to be submitted in September 2013.