July 25, 2012
Scotland

Wind turbines proposed for Strichen

The Fraserburgh Herald | www.fraserburghherald.co.uk 25 July 2012

Proposals for a 59.5 metre tall turbine have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council and are currently open for public comment.

The proposal, submitted by Distributed Generation Ltd would see a turbine erected at Hawkhill, Strichen. The company had previously sought to place a wind turbine at the Hawkhill site, but were refused in March of this year.

Mr Darran Potter, of Distributed Generation Ltd, was informed of the decision by Aberdeenshire Council, who said: “The proposed development would adversely impact upon the operation and air traffic control systems serving Aberdeen Airport.”

In 2011, Distributed Generation Ltd withdrew a planning application for a 46 metre turbine at the Hawkhill site.

Two wind turbines, meanwhile, have been proposed by 1 Stop Renewables on behalf of Mrs Dorothy Roberts.

The 46.5 metre high turbines would be erected at a site at Hillhead of Denend should the proposal be accepted by Aberdeenshire Council.

One public comment has been received on the proposal, objecting to the proposed build at Strichen. The Alford resident, Mr Ernest Hurry, cites several Aberdeenshire Council policies in his letter, adding that the cumulative impact on the area.

“There are already too many wind turbines in this area making life intolerable for local residents, and having a detrimental effect on our vital tourist industry,” he said.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) have also objected to the Hillhead of Denend proposal, telling Aberdeenshire Council: “Trials carried out in 2005 concluded that wind turbines can have detrimental effects on the operation of radar which include the desensitisation of radar in the vicinity of the turbines, and the creation of “false” aircraft returns. The probability of the radar detecting aircraft flying over or in the vicinity of the turbines would be reduced, and the RAF would be unable to provide a full air surveillance service in the area of the proposed
wind farm.”

NERL, the RSPB and BAA, meanwhile, have no objections to the Hillhead of Denend proposal.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/25/wind-turbines-proposed-for-strichen/