March 29, 2011
Scotland

Rhynie wind turbines plan wins backing

By David McKay, The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 29 March 2011

Plans for three more wind turbines in an area described by Aberdeenshire Council planners as being at the “absolute limit” of capacity for development have been recommended for approval.

Councillors will be asked to consider the proposal from Ventus Green Energy on behalf of the landowner at Mains of Rhynie farm, Rhynie, at a meeting at Huntly today.

A report to the Marr area committee states that the visual impact of the 95ft turbines would not be “significant enough” to warrant refusal.

The council received five letters of objection voicing concerns about the cumulative effect of windfarm developments in the area.

The site is covered by an area of landscape significance designation, which should protect the land from “damaging” development.

The council has recently-approved projects for Upper Wheedlemont, Kildrummy and Clashindarroch, while another site at Cairnmore is already in operation.

A report by council planning officer Michael Lorimer acknowledges that the local authority’s landscape planner has suggested there are already enough developments in the area.

It states: “The area was previously described by council’s landscape planner as being at the absolute limits of capacity for wind turbines. This committee should have the opportunity to understand why this application is being recommended for approval in the face of previous advice.”

The report goes on to say that the application will provide an additional source of income for the farm at Mains of Rhynie and will “significantly reduce the farm’s carbon footprint.”

It points out that the turbines would be removed after 25 years, leaving no visible trace of the development’s existence. The report states that the turbines, which will be situated at Quarry Hill, will have no less impact on the landscape than electric pylons that are already in place.

It says that the proposed machines will be “relatively close” to other turbine sites, but much smaller in size than the development at Upper Wheedlemont.

Members of the Marr area committee will consider the application at a meeting today.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/29/rhynie-wind-turbines-plan-wins-backing/