February 1, 2013
Scotland

Objections to beauty spot wind-speed mast

Press and Journal, Tuesday 29th January 2013

A plan to site a wind-speed measuring mast near Aberdeenshire’s landmark Bennachie has stirred up 50 objections.

Aberdeenshire Council is being asked to give full planning permission for the construction of the 164ft anemometer mast for up to one year on land at Cornabo, overlooking the Lord’s Throat near Monymusk.

The area, on the other side of the River Don from Bennachie’s Mither Tap peak, is popular with walkers and mountain bikers.

Artist and photographer Hugh Falconer is a member of the Sauchen Group Against Wind Turbines.

He said the Cornabo application had to be “killed stone dead” before it was taken further.

“The hope is to stop it getting to the next stage, where planning permission is liable to be requested for a windfarm at Cornabo.

“It is a beautiful and unspoilt landscape, and the number of objections to even an anemometer mast going up shows that people want to keep it that way.

“If we stand by and let turbine developers rape our country for profit, there will be little incentive for people to visit Scotland,” added Mr Falconer, of Margaret Allan Grove, Sauchen.

Objections to the wind speed testing structure on the slopes of Cairn William hill have come from people from as far afield as Aberdeen, Oldmeldrum, Deeside and Monymusk.

An agent for anemometer mast applications, Steve and Michelle Clark, of Milton of Kemnay, confirmed a three-turbines scheme was envisaged if wind speeds proved suitable.

Mr Clark said objections over concerns about wind turbines on the site were premature.

He added: “We are only seeking permission for a temporary anemometer mast. The wind speeds may not prove adequate. If they are, then people will have a full opportunity to debate the matter when the application for wind turbines is made.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/01/objections-to-beauty-spot-wind-speed-mast/