October 11, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
Protesters were celebrating today after plans for a wind farm were turned down.
A majority of councillors voted against an application to put up nine 80-metre turbines at St John’s Hill at Stonehaven.
And the council ruling was a boon for Scottish literature fans as the rural site is believed to have inspired Lewis Grassic Gibbon to write his classic novel Sunset Song.
Protester Jilly Arbuthnott said: “I am very pleased. It was the wrong place for a wind farm.”
Proposals by FM Developments were recommended for approval by council planners.
But only a handful of councillors voted for the scheme at a meeting of Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee .
One supporter suggested the massive turbines could inspire some modern poetry but Mrs Arbuthnott was not so sure.
She said: “I can’t imagine an ‘ode to a wind turbine’.
“There were four local people who spoke against it and the developer spoke in favour,” she added.
“They had a two-hour discussion and went into all aspects but seemed to decide it was completely the wrong place.
“It ticked all the boxes in many ways but it is simply too near where people live, farm and make their livelihood.”
She said she hoped the developers would not appeal the decision.
A spokesman for the developer was unavailable for comment.
The proposal attracted 468 letters of support and 297 from objectors.
Historic Scotland and the RSPB lodged concerns.
But supporters said it would bring environmental and economic benefits.
By Lynn Kernan
lkernan@ajl.co.uk
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/11/objectors-win-battle-against-wind-turbines/