August 28, 2011
Scotland

More opposition to Newburgh turbines

Fife Today, www.fifetoday.co.uk 28 August 2011

Controversial plans to erect three giant wind turbines in the north Fife countryside have run into further opposition – this time from a neighbouring local authority concerned about their visual impact.

Perth and Kinross Council have voiced ‘strong concerns’ about an application by Newburgh Community Trust, who want to site the 100m turbines at Braeside of Lindores in a bid to provide renewable energy for the local community and generate income for low carbon projects.

The plan has split local opinion and prompted criticism by the countryside watchdog Scottish Natural Heritage, who say that the turbines would appear ‘too large’ for the local landscape and blight views from as far as the Carse of Gowrie, the southern Sidlaws and Kinnoull Hill.

Now, with the consultation period due to end today (Friday), Perth and Kinross Council have complained that they were never formally consulted about the application, but even so they wished to raise ‘strong concerns’.

In a letter to Fife Council, development quality manager Nick Brian says that the turbines would be clearly seen from a wide area to the north of Newburgh, particularly along the Tay Estuary and Carse of Gowrie.

“The medium and longer range views of the north Fife hills will from many points be adversely affected to a significant extent,” he commented.

“The turbines would be visible from and lie within 10km of an AGLV and at least five historic gardens and designated landscapes in Perth and Kinross.”

Meanwhile, the community council in the Carse of Gowrie village of Errol has also expressed dismay that the lack of notification may have denied members the opportunity to comment before the application is considered by north east Fife area committee.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/28/more-opposition-to-newburgh-turbines/