September 26, 2010
Scotland

Nigg residents rally to fight plan for turbines above Cromarty Firth

By Jane Candlish, The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 25 September 2010

A five-turbine windfarm proposed for a picturesque spot overlooking the Moray Firth has attracted about 600 objections.

London-based energy company Falck Renewables wants to build the turbines, measuring 410ft high to the tips of their rotor blades, on Nigg Hill, at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth.

The development will generate 10MW of electricity and cost up to £10million.

The closing date for representations on the scheme was yesterday and Highland Council said that they had received about 650 representations in total.

They include about 600 objections and about 50 in support of the development.

Planning officers will now examine the application and make recommendations about whether the scheme should be approved or refused by councillors.

Speaking yesterday, objectors John and Eveline Waring, said that building turbines on the hill would destroy the beauty and tranquility which attracts so many visitors to the area.

The couple said that the turbines could also affect flocks of geese and ducks that migrate through the area.

They are also sceptical that the community will receive any substantial money from the development.

Mr Waring, of the Old Post Office House, Pitcalnie, said: “There are 100 residences within one-and-a-half miles of this windfarm and they are going to have this in their face all the time.

“Property values will go down, and there will be noise all the time.”

He added that photomontages drawn up by the company were misleading, and made it look like the turbines would not stick out against the sky.

Mr Waring said: “These turbines will loom over those who are unlucky enough to live close by and will dominate the landscape for miles around.”

Mrs Waring added: “It is not that we find them unattractive. They can be fascinating to watch. But living under them with the noise will be absolutely horrendous.

“If they were in the wilds, they would not be disturbing anyone.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/26/nigg-residents-rally-to-fight-plan-for-turbines-above-cromarty-firth/