April 18, 2008
Scotland

Committee set to decide on windfarm plan

Development could receive go-ahead despite more than 300 objections

A new windfarm development in Aberdeenshire could be given the go-ahead despite attracting more than 300 letters of objection.

The Formartine area committee will consider plans for four 250ft turbines and a sub-station at Skelmonae, Methlick, when it meets on Tuesday.

Aberdeenshire Council officials have recommended that the scheme is given the go-ahead, but residents living close to the proposed site have objected strongly. The council received just one letter in support of the application and 324 letters from those opposing the scheme.

Campaigners have formed the Skelmonae Windfarm Action Group and have circulated literature outlining their concerns to local residents.

However, the report which will go before councillors cautions that 75% of representations are made up of three standard letters and that objections have been received from as far afield as Dorset, Brighton and Sheffield.

Action group chairman Marvyn Newberry said this did not detract from the strength of local feeling.

“As a group we canvassed the whole area and found 95% of people were against this windfarm,” he said.

“We did give out pro forma letters because most people were not sure of the planning process and what they should do to register their objections.

“People were more than happy to put their names to them. To give this the go-ahead it would be obscene – it would but something of an industrial scale in the middle of a thriving community.”

A decision is expected on Tuesday when councillors will also consider plans for three 330ft turbines at Hill of Fiddes, Udny, and an application by Balmedie Primary School for a turbine.