November 15, 2013
Scotland

Government pull the plug on harbour turbines

Buchan Observer | 15 November 2013 | www.buchanobserver.co.uk

Controversial plans to build a pair of giant wind turbines at Peterhead Harbour have been blocked by the Scottish government.

The proposal to erect two 330ft towers was quashed by the Buchan Area Committee earlier this year.

Now an appeal against the committee’s decision from Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) to the Scottish Government has been denied.

PPA chief executive John Wallace said: “I think it is an opportunity missed, one that would have guaranteed a sizeable and secure income stream upon which our proposed Inner Harbour Deepening project would have been that much more likely to proceed.

“In addition, we have lost the opportunity to seriously address our carbon footprint and that of our stakeholders.

“These turbines would have made Peterhead Port carbon negative, a state of affairs that benefits everyone.”

Mr Wallace also told the Buchanie that the collapse of the scheme would deny local groups and charities £50,000.

The turbines, which were expected to bring in £11 million over their proposed 25-year lives, faced fierce criticism from some Peterhead residents.

There were concerns that the towers would dominate the town skyline. In total 16 objections from residents were received.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee rejected the planning consent over fears the turbines would pose a safety risk to harbour activity.

Mr Wallace continuted: “We spent a considerable amount of time and effort, researching and bringing this project forward but the democratic process has been exhausted and we respect this and the opinions of those who did not support us.

“We push on now with another major Capitol works programme by deepening the inner harbours and the relocation the fish market to create a ‘bespoke dedicated fishing hub of excellent’ – befitting that of one of Europe’s premier ports.”

The port refit will include deepening both the north and south harbours and building a new fish market.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/15/government-pull-the-plug-on-harbour-turbines/