November 8, 2013
Scotland

Claims Dava wind farm would hit Grantown businesses in pocket

Strathspey and Badenoch Herald | 08/11/2o13 | www.strathspey-herald.co.uk

There are claims that businesses in Grantown could be left counting the cost if they do not object to ‘monstrous’ plans for 20 wind turbines which have just been lodged for a site to the north of the town.

Leading British renewable energy developer, RES, has just submitted the application for the Cairn Duhie Wind Farm on the Dava Moor, eight miles from the Strathspey capital.

Campaigners against the development claim that if the wind farm goes ahead, along with others planned or being built by various energy companies, there could be more than 300 turbines within a 40-mile radius.

Mr Roy Hewett, of the Save Our Dava campaign group, said: “Our concern is that the prosperity of Grantown’s tourism industry will be hit if no-one speaks up for the town.

“A Scottish Government Reporter stated that if there is an adverse visual impact on the landscape as a result of development, it will affect tourism.

“Remember, just two and a half miles north of Grantown, these 20 turbines will be in your face. It is important that the tourism operators in Grantown have their say before it it too late.”

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) recently held their own series of meetings in Edinkillie Hall, Dunphail, Glenferness Village Hall, Ferness and Nairn Community and Arts Centre on the turbines proposed between the V of the A939 Nairn road and the A940 Forres road.

They failed to run one in Grantown, saying they would have been happy to do so, but the town’s community council did not think it was necessary.

Fiona Stevens, RES project manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation process and provided RES with their comments on our proposal.

“RES has completed extensive environmental surveys at the sitem and we are confident that it is an ideal location for a wind farm.

“We have sensitively designed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm to minimise local impacts while maximising renewable energy generation.”

If granted planning permission, the development will be capable of generating enough renewable electricity to meet the average annual requirements of between 31,000 and 32,000 homes.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/08/claims-dava-wind-farm-would-hit-grantown-businesses-in-pocket/