LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]


Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Windfarm may need lights to warn aircraft, inquiry told 

Credit:  By Laura Paterson | Published: 23/10/2012 | The Press and Journal | www.pressandjournal.co.uk ~~

A windfarm planned for the edge of the Cairngorms National Park could be painted a colour to make it less visible, but may require aircraft warning lights, a planning inquiry heard yesterday.

Developer RWE npower renewables has appealed to the Scottish Government to grant consent for the 31-turbine Allt Duine windfarm on the Monadhliath Mountains, near Kincraig, after it was rejected by Highland Council.

A planning inquiry before government reporter Jill Moody started at Aviemore yesterday. Giving evidence, landscape architect Lindsey Guthrie said she had recommended the renewable firm do tests of darker colours for the turbines, which would be up to 410ft high and need several miles of access tracks.

She said: “I recommended to RWE it would be appropriate here to use a slightly darker colour. My recommendation is that there should be some testing done with different colours.” She said a darker colour than standard could reduce the contrast between the turbines and landscape but agreed with a report stating Scottish Natural Heritage had found dull browns and greens not particularly successful. She said all assessments and consultation had been carried out on the basis that the turbines would be the standard grey colour. The inquiry heard the Ministry of Defence want the turbines fitted with lights for the protection of low-flying aircraft.

Miss Guthrie said she did not believe the development would have an adverse effect on the “integrity” of the national park”. Questioned by Marcus Trinick QC, for the developers, regarding fears of an encircling effect from existing and proposed windfarms around the park, she said there were “clear areas” between developments and the differing distances of the windfarms would lessen any such effect. Rod McKenzie, representing Highland Council and the Cairngorm National Park Authority, asked Miss Guthrie how the windfarm would “conserve and enhance” the special qualities of the park, as required by the development plan. She said: this was “challenging” and added “I don’t think it will conserve or enhance them.”

Mr McKenzie said: “If it is challenging, isn’t that a powerful indicator that Allt Duine is badly located?” Miss Guthrie replied: “It’s outwith the park. The turbines are outwith the designated area.”

The inquiry continues today.

Source:  By Laura Paterson | Published: 23/10/2012 | The Press and Journal | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon