August 28, 2012
Scotland

Opposition builds to small-scale windfarm

BY ALISTAIR BEATON | The Press and Journal | 28 August 2012

A small-scale windfarm scheme planned for a landmark viewpoint could face major opposition from a coastal community.

Aberdeenshire Council is being asked to give planning permission for the development of five, 65ft turbines on Kinghornie hill, at Inverbervie.

Although little higher than an electricity pole, the structures have sparked immediate opposition. The hill provides a backdrop to the community, and even features on a panoramic painting across t he frontage of the local primary school.

“It is a beautiful hill that towers over Bervie,” said resident Raymond Craig, 65, yesterday.

He said he had no objection to the principle of windfarms, but said many local people felt the proposed development at Kinghornie would blight a focal feature of the coastline visible from sea.

“Residents look out on the hill every day, and see the light change on it each day and through every season. It is a treasured landmark and view that must not be spoiled,” Mr Craig added.

The semi-retired joiner, of Queen Johanna Place, said Kinghornie hill was one of the most photographed landscape features of the town and provided one of the most unspoilt and scenic walks in the area.

Heandhis wife Elizabeth have been among the first to lodge an official objection with planners over the proposed windfarm, but he said he expected many others to protest.

“I will be heartbroken if this goes ahead, and I am sure a lot of other local folk would be too,” he said. He said that many people did not read planning notices and had been unaware of a September 13 deadline for objections to the scheme.”

The Inverbervie 10Kw turbines application has been submitted by Wakefield-based T J Coates Limited. Director Michael Coates was unavailable for comment yesterday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/28/opposition-builds-to-small-scale-windfarm/