December 7, 2011
Scotland

MoD raises objections to major windfarm at Mormond Hill

By Jamie Buchan, The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 7 December 2011

The Ministry of Defence has objected to contentious plans for a major windfarm at a rural Buchan landmark.

Proposals to put up 12 turbines on the slopes of Mormond Hill, between Strichen and Fraserburgh, have already divided opinion.

Developer Muirden Energy claims the 330ft masts would generate enough power for thousands of homes and could pump around £50,000 into local projects each year.

But campaigners who launched their own action group to fight the plan say the masts will destroy one of the north-east’s most spectacular sites.

Now the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the recently launched property arm of the MOD, says it cannot support the scheme as it could cause “unacceptable interference” to radar equipment at RAF Buchan, 14miles away.

Muirden’s application for planning consent is being considered by Aberdeenshire Council officials and is likely to be brought before local councillors in the new year. Planners have received 10 letters about the scheme, including six opposing it.

The Strichen Community Park Company has also objected to the plan.

The Turbine-Free Mormond Hill campaign group held a series of public meetings last month to raise their concerns about the plan.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/07/mod-raises-objections-to-major-windfarm-at-mormond-hill/