January 24, 2012
Scotland

Setback for Donald Trump with push to back wind farm

By FRANK URQUHART, www.scotsman.com 24 January 2012

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s main planning authority are being urged to back controversial plans for a wind farm off the coast of Aberdeen in a major blow for Donald Trump’s campaign to block the “eyesore” development.

A report to the infrastructure services committee also reveals that Marine Scotland, which will make the final recommendation to Scottish ministers, has received 406 letters of representation supporting the plan and only 14 against it.

The American billionaire warned last week he would not spend “another penny” on his £750 million golf resort at the Menie Estate until it has been confirmed that the proposed 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is being moved away from the coastline flanking the site of his main championship course.

The development, spearheaded by Swedish electricity company Vattenfall, will stretch from Aberdeen to an area off Blackdog, an estimated mile and a half from the Menie links.

The turbines will be up to 640ft high, and the Trump Organisation claims the “ugly industrial park” will ruin the coastline.

Members of the infrastructure services committee will debate the proposal on Thursday. Stephen Archer, director of infrastructure services, is recommending that members of the influential committee support the application.

Mr Archer states in his report to the committee: “It must be emphasised that due to the size of the turbines proposed, they will be visible from some distance from coastal locations [in eastern Aberdeenshire].

“As there are no offshore turbines in this area at present, the installation of these will create a significant visual effect on these coastal areas of Aberdeenshire, north of Aberdeen.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/24/setback-for-donald-trump-with-push-to-back-wind-farm/