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Scotland’s tallest turbines planned
Credit: By Mark Mackay | The Courier | 24 April 2013 | ~~
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Turbines taller than towering British landmarks could dominate the Perthshire skyline for a generation.
Green power developers have identified a site between Perth and Dundee for what would be Scotland’s tallest turbines.
At a massive 135 metres they would dwarf the iconic Scott Monument and Big Ben and would approach the 158-metre height of the Blackpool Tower.
They would also be bigger than those already in place at the Griffin windfarm near Aberfeldy. Its 125-metre turbines – the tallest in Courier Country, for now – can be seen from Perth some 30 miles away.
Banks Renewables will today take the first step towards their creation when it attempts to persuade councillors to allow it to install a wind mast.
The mast, itself rising to 80 metres, would be in place for up to three years as the developer bids to secure evidence of the wind resources at its chosen location, at Southtown Farm on the Bandirran Estate, two miles east of Balbeggie.
However, communities have warned that the unspoilt landscape of the Tay Estuary will be destroyed by “incongruous metal towers” if the plans are allowed to progress.
In a strongly-worded letter of objection – one of 20 now before Perth and Kinross Council – Rait Community Association chairperson Mary Laurie MBE urged councillors to reject the wind mast plan.
“The local community is appalled at the prospect of our local authority possibly approving such a step,” she said.
“This would cause irrevocable damage in this cherished and unique landscape of the Carse of Gowrie and would inevitably set a precedent for further development as we believe approval would swiftly be followed by the construction of eight massive turbines of a height greater than any others in Scotland.
“We all appreciate the need for greener and more environmentally friendly power sources but the location of wind turbines must be carefully and sensitively researched and appropriately placed in the least intrusive areas of our land and waters.”
Elected members will consider the wind mast proposal at a meeting of the council’s development management committee.
The plan has been recommended for approval by planning chiefs, who have also urged councillors to consider the initial application in isolation.
In his report to council, development quality manager Nick Brian stresses that “consideration of a potential windfarm is not relevant to the assessment of this application”.
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