December 20, 2010
Scotland

Planners call for windfarm to be rejected

By Jamie Buchan, The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 20 December 2010

A windfarm planned for a north-east village could be rejected this week, despite widespread support for it.

The three-turbine development is earmarked for a peat field known as St Fergus Moss, about six miles north of Peterhead.

In stark contrast to many other turbine schemes, the proposal has attracted no objections from locals .Planning officers have also received nearly 20 letters supporting the scheme from as far afield as Edinburgh.

Backers claim the turbines will be “visually attractive” and would benefit the local community. It is also argued that because the Buchan landscape is dominated by large industrial structures – such as Peterhead Power Station and the St Fergus gas terminal – the three 330ft masts would fit right in.

Aberdeenshire Council planners have called for the scheme to be rejected when it goes before members of the Buchan area committee tomorrow however.

In a report to councillors, the planning service says that the development would be “large, overly dominant and overbearing”.

A spokesman said the overall impact would be unacceptable alongside other existing and planned turbines and it would also set a precedent “in an area that is home to increased numbers of wind developments”.

The project, which would be placed two-and-a-half miles from St Fergus and two miles from Crimond, includes the construction of an electricity substation and new service roads.

The scheme has been tabled by Edinburgh-based Greenspan Agency, which held a public consultation at St Fergus earlier this year.

The Banff and Buchan area committee backed plans for three turbines at South Law, New Pitsligo, last week despite planners’ concerns.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/20/planners-call-for-windfarm-to-be-rejected/