March 19, 2008
Scotland
Scotland
Masts near methlick granted permission despite concerns.
Four wind turbines which were originally recommended for refusal on the basis of their height yesterday received permission to extend a further 8ft.
The 295ft-high masts near Methlick in Aberdeenshire – one at Courtstone, two at Haddo and one at Denhill – were given the go-ahead in October last year, despite attracting around 250 letters of objection.
One letter was sent from the Civil Aviation Authority detailing its concerns about their potential impact on Aberdeen Airport’s operations.
But they all received permission, and yesterday returned to Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee meeting to ask for a further extension.
Council planners supported the request, saying it would not make a notable difference to the surrounding landscape. Councillors accepted the reasoning and granted permission.
The application was among five windfarms the committee considered yesterday, which included an £8million proposed development at Hill of Fiddes near Cultercullen, Ellon.
The development, which consists of three 338ft turbines, could create 40 jobs and produce electricity for 3,700 homes.
Councillors postponed a decision to allow time to visit the site to see how the turbines could affect landscape and neighbouring properties, the closest of which is about 1,500ft away.
Another windfarm, which consists of three masts standing at a height of 250ft, 150ft and 200ft, at Cairnhill Farm in Turriff, also received permission. And one further wind turbine, also in Turriff at Gairnieston Farm, which a farmer wants to build to produce energy to wash his food produce on site, was supported by the committee. A decision will be taken by councillors in neighbouring Banff and Buchan.
Meanwhile, an energy company is appealing a decision to create a windfarm in an area of landscape significance in Aberdeenshire, six months after it was categorically rejected.
Councillors in the Marr area unanimously threw out NPower Renewables’ proposal to create a 300ft eight-turbine windfarm on Clashnarae Hill, Alford, last September, citing concerns about loss of wildlife habitat and the effect on the landscape.
But the Perth-based group has now submitted an appeal to build the development, which will be considered by reporters at the Scottish Government.
By Gillian Bell
Published: 19/03/2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/19/controversial-wind-turbines-to-be-extended/