April 10, 2014
Scotland

Anxiety at Angus wind farm plans

Kirriemuir Herald | 09 April 2014 | www.kirriemuirherald.co.uk

The growing number of applications being lodged for wind farms in the Angus Glens has prompted a public meeting which will be held tomorrow to discuss how residents can respond to the developments.

Anxiety has been growing among the communities along the Perth and Kinross and Angus border and now residents will gather in Glenisla Village Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday to discuss how best to tackle the issue.

Local concern began in 2007 with the construction of the 16-turbine Drumderg windfarm and the four-turbine Welton of Creuchies farm near Alyth will soon follow.

Plans for seven turbine farms at Bamff and Tullymurdoch have been rejected by Perth and Kinross and Angus Councils, but those decisions are being appealed by developers.

Last week Wind Prospect Development delivered details of its 14-turbine plan for Saddle Hill, near Kilry, to the local authorities, with a public exhibition due to take place in June.

Other plans have been revealed for up to 18 turbines for Macritch Hill at the Backwater reservoir.

Now residents are coming together to discuss what they see as a “proliferation” of wind farms of the area.

Local resident Mike Morris said: “The residents of Lintrathen, Kilry and Glenisla want to oppose the excessive planned wind farm developments in our area, and I have been asked, along with a small committee, to organise a public meeting to discuss the proliferation of the wind farms, to reach a consensus of opinion about this development and to decide how the community should respond. All are welcome.

“The Angus Glens were referred to in the past and in promotional material as the five fingers of a giant’s hand. Unfortunately, these beautiful fingers are not only becoming scarred but they are pointing these scars at other areas such as the Cairngorm National Park. There will be several points in the park from which the Saddle Hill development will be seen. Closest will be the local Munros Dreish and Mayar in Glen Clova. Many organisations have expressed their concern about these developments.”

Dr Morris also referred to the result of a recent survey carried out by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland which showed that more than two thirds of hillwalkers believed parts of the country were becoming less attractive because or their windfarm proliferation.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/04/10/anxiety-at-angus-wind-farm-plans/