October 21, 2011
Scotland

Enertrag pull out from Kinnettles windfarm project

Kirriemuir Herald, www.kirriemuirherald.co.uk 21 October 2011

Windfarm giants Enertrag have pulled out of the Kinnettles project, much to the delight of local residents.

Last week, the company pulled the plug on the planning application which had previously been submitted to Angus Council.

The decision came following the announcement that Neil Lindsay, Enertrag’s UK managing director, had left the company to pursue other interests within the wind industry.

Christopher Small, ENERTRAG Director said, “We would like to thank Neil for the work he has undertaken on ENERTRAG’s behalf and we wish him luck in his chosen career path.

“One of the projects that Neil brought with him to ENERTRAG was the Berrymuir Wind Farm site on Kinnettles Hill and as a consequence of Neil’s move this project is no longer included in the ENERTRAG portfolio of on-shore wind projects.

“The company has a number of other very good sites in Scotland and our UK Team, based in Fife, Angus and the Shetlands, continues to play its part in helping Scotland achieve its ambitious target of generating 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.”

The project had come under strong criticism from both residents and neighbouring community councils.

An application had been made by Enertrag to install a wind mast monitoring device to assess the viability of placing a wind farm in the area.

Before the withdrawal of the application, Angus Council had received well over 100 individual letters of objection.

A 500-signiature strong petition had also been submitted to the local authority.

The company have since confirmed that they no longer have any interest in the site now that Mr Lindsay has moved on.

A spokesman for Against Kinnettle Turbines (AKT) said: “The voice of the community was united with the clear message that the wrong site for a wind farm had been chosen so close to so many homes.

“Also the beautiful landscape would have been destroyed by erecting giant turbines.

“There was also valuable support from Glamis Community Council which had grave concerns about the planning application.

“Our legal advisers and independent consultants were totally confident that Angus Council would have eventually rejected the application.

“However, the planning process could have taken a number of years before completion, leading to continued planning blight in the area.

“This sorry saga is now closed following the withdrawal of this misguided application, which took no regard of the wishes of the local community.

“One suspects the applicant’s prime objective was to make profit rather than contribute to the renewable energy agenda.

“This beautiful part of the Strathmore Valley is now safe for generations to come.

“AKT is thankful to Angus Council for keeping objectors aware of developments in stark contrast to the applicants Enertrag, who refused to hold any public meetings.

“Angus Council is now looking again at the Local Plan Review and will be updating guidance regarding wind farm planning applications – which should be of benefit to both applicants and objectors.

“AKT believes this is welcome news and hopes it can contribute to the debate when the Council opens its consultation process.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/21/enertrag-pull-out-from-kinnettles-windfarm-project/