April 23, 2008
Scotland
Scotland
Windfarms could become blots on the North-east landscape, it has been warned.
Councillor John Loveday voiced concern at the flood of applications for turbines which have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.
But, despite his worries, the committee convener backed a wind farm scheme which had attracted objections.
Plans for the three 102m (335ft) turbines were debated at the council’s Formartine area committee.
Five members voted for the scheme, proposed for Hill of Fiddes at Udny, while five were against.
Cllr Loveday’s deciding vote allowed the plans to go forward.
But the chairman, pictured, who is councillor for Mid-Formatine, also expressed fears that the area could soon be dotted with imposing turbines.
“We have a big, big problem in the amount of applications coming in,” he said.
“The problem is one of cumulative effect.”
Other councillors spoke out more specifically against the Udny application lodged by Broadview Energy Development Ltd.
Cllr Paul Johnston said the turbines would be “too massive” for the site.
He said: “This is not a totally inappropriate place for turbines but their particular mass on this type of landscape is too large.”
The plans were previously deferred for a site visit and originally attracted 12 letters of objection and 23 of support.
Plans for two more wind turbine schemes were also discussed the meeting in Ellon.
A 17m (56ft) turbine planned for land at Balmedie Primary was approved yesterday despite concerns over TV reception and Cllr Loveday branding the plans “not thought out”.
The meeting heard a BBC consultation found 537 homes with terrestrial television could be affected by the scheme..
But planners said Cults Primary in the city had a similar turbine and no complaints had been received.
The plans, lodged by the council’s education department, were delegated to the head of planning with conditions including further consultation with residents, teachers and parents.
An application for four 77m (253ft) turbines for a sub-station at Skelmonae near Methlick was deferred for a site visit.
By Lynn Kernan
23 April 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/04/23/fears-over-spread-of-windfarm-sites-plans-approved-despite-concerns/