April 20, 2012
Scotland

Wind power bid leads to 350 protests

By Shona Gossip, The Press and Journal, 20 April 2012

A renewable energy scheme planned for the outskirts of a north-east village could be scrapped – after nearly 350 people lodged objections.

Four farmers teamed up to form Yowlie Energy Ltd and wanted to each build a 283ft turbine on their land, to diversify their business.

But planning chiefs have said the proposals would have a detrimental impact on the C-listed Prop of Ythsie, which offers scenic views of nearby Tarves and the surrounding area.

They have also recommended councillors throw out plans for a 321ft turbine at Hill of Easterton, Rothienorman, which would be used to power Mackie’s Ice Cream Dairy.

In both reports, head of planning and building standards Robert Gray tells councillors: “In this particular area of Aberdeenshire there are a large number of wind turbine applications which are either installed, approved or being considered.

“By their nature wind turbines of this scale will have an impact on the landscape and visual amenity to some extent.”

Out of 435 letters sent to Aberdeenshire Council in response to the plans for turbines at Douglashead, Upper Ardlethen, Milton of Ardlethen and Little Ythsie farms, 348 were objections. The No Ythanbank Turbines group was also formed to block the plans, amid concerns they would affect not only their homes, but also the nearby C-listed Prop of Ythsie.

Their concerns were echoed by Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure archaeology and built heritage teams, who said the scheme would negatively affect the 19th century monument.

Members of the Formartine area committee will consider the plans when they meet at Ellon on Tuesday. Out of the 10 wind turbine applications to be considered, eight are recommended for approval.

Meanwhile, councillors have been urged to use their “commonsense” when considering plans for wind turbines planned by Mackies.

Maitland Mackie, chairman of ice- cream firm Mackie’s of Scotland, said that while he did not want to see the north-east become a “porcupine”, the council should put aside visual impact and focus on turbine efficiency.

The Rothienorman dairy first began using wind energy in 1983 and now has three 246ft turbines on the Hill of Easterton.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/20/wind-power-bid-leads-to-350-protests/