September 22, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
A detailed objection to a proposed windfarm in Auchtermuchty has been lodged by the local community council.
Although plans for a five-turbine development on the edge of the village were outlined some time ago, and despite local furore, Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo Community Council reserved its judgement until the dust on the details settled and local consensus had been properly gauged.
Now, in an in-depth document, the community council has outlined its objections to the project, and urged Fife Council planners to reject the application.
The objection claims that the local authority’s own policy of searching for potential areas of wind energy was never consulted on, and no exact locations were publicly earmarked for development.
This meant “communities in Fife are prey to speculative windfarm developers claiming to be acting within the approved policies of Fife Council”.
The document also states that the application was unsuitable because the village is an ‘area of great landscape value’ (AGLV).
“Auchtermuchty is one of the priceless gems of historic urban burgh architecture and townscape in the east of Scotland,” it states.
“Its value lies, however, not just within the diverse history of its fabric, but also in its landscape setting on lowland hills at the edge of the Howe of Fife.
“It is too near the historic royal burgh and to its ancient common, and would effectively destroy the essential landscape setting of the settlement.”
The application for the windfarm from German firm EnergieKontor is expected to come before councillors by the end of the year.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/09/22/windfarm-would-destroy-landscape/