January 29, 2014
Scotland

River valley turbines plan rejected

By Christopher Rae | The Press and Journal | 29/01/2014

Controversial plans for two industrial wind turbines in rural Aberdeenshire were thrown out yesterday after an impassioned plea from locals.

Renewables firm Good Energy had tabled proposals for two 330ft masts at King Edward, near Banff.

Yesterday members of the Banff and Buchan area committee rejected the proposals after hearing evidence from planners, locals and the developer.

Land in the River Deveron valley had been earmarked for the scheme, described by the Wiltshire-based company as one of the UK’s first local tariff projects aimed at rewarding households close to its windfarms.

Neighbours living within 1.2 miles of the site could have had t h e chance to shave up to £250 off their energy bills, the company said.

But residents rallied together to block the plan, arguing that there were already too many turbines in the area. Concerns were also raised about noise and shadow flicker.

Council officers claimed the proposal would have had an adverse impact on nearby homes and would be detrimental to the local landscape. A planning department spokesman said: “In terms of magnitude of change, the construction of wind turbines of this scale at this site would have a notable effect on the character of t he surrounding countryside.”

Fears were also raised about the impact on several historic developments nearby, including the ruins of 16thcentury Eden Castle – although Historic Scotland has decided not to object.

Catriona McIlwraith, of Hill of Scatterty, which neighbours the proposed site, told members: “We as locals support the small turbines put up by local farmers and do not oppose renewable energy.

“However we are against these industrial machines put there for the benefit of a company with revenue going south of the border.

“As well as all the points raised by the planners, recently a large group of badgers have moved into a sett where the proposed sub station would go and there is no way they would survive the excavation work.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/01/29/river-valley-turbines-plan-rejected/