January 10, 2014
Scotland

‘An insult to the community’ — STORM campaign vows to fight Angus turbine plans

Turbine development 'must not be allowed' | By Graeme Strachan | The Courier | 10 January 2014 | www.thecourier.co.uk

Battle lines have been drawn again by Angus campaigners following another application for wind turbines close to their homes.

A string of objections have already been registered following the application for three turbines on farmland 900 metres to the west of Rossie School in Montrose.

The application by Tellus Energy Ltd on behalf of landowner John Stirling would see three turbines erected with a blade tip height of 79.6m and ancillary development.

STORM (Stop Turbines On Rossie Moor) successfully fought against the erection of three 105m turbines when a previous application was lodged in 2007.

The developers claimed that the £8 million project would have generated from 6 to 7.5 megawatts, equivalent to the demands of at least 3,200 households, or the electricity needs of Brechin.

The application was turned down by Angus Council, went to appeal and, after a public inquiry, was finally refused by the Scottish Government in 2009.

However, STORM is up and running again following the latest application and residents are hoping for a similar outcome this time.

Margaret Balfour said: “This application is an insult to the community which fought so hard – and successfully – to defeat the previous one.

“These turbines may be slightly smaller but they are even nearer to Rossie Moor and to the public footpath which crosses it. This development must not be allowed.”

Robert Pringle said: “Having argued the case that this location was totally unsuitable for wind turbines in 2009, it is very disappointing to note that the landowner sees fit to subject the community to yet another application. A development of this kind would destroy the residential and recreational amenity for those living beside and using Rossie Moor.”

Virginia Fraser, who lives nearby, said Rossie Moor was a site of specific interest which “needs to be defended”.

She told The Courier: “We now seem to be back at square one. The new application for three slightly smaller turbines is this time even closer to the moor and straddling an important public footpath which is much used by riders, walkers and cyclists.

“This is now the only unfenced path across the moor, and it would be closed during construction for up to seven months.

“There are several dwellings nearby whose amenity and market value would be seriously affected by the proposed development.

“Construction traffic would use the road from the A92 at Lunan Smithy, passing very close to several homes, and is estimated to include 254 loads of aggregate, 71 of concrete, and 15 artics with turbine components. The road would need to be widened and straightened.”

Landowner John Stirling said he believed the application was a better solution than nuclear power.

“I strongly support this application and believe even in the last application a majority of people were in favour.

“I believe given the changes made to this application that the site is suitable and will help demonstrate that Angus, alongside most of the country, is a committed supporter of renewable energy.”