January 15, 2015
Scotland

Council planner advises against Mearns farm wind turbine project

By Rob McLaren | The Courier | 15 January 2015 | www.thecourier.co.uk

A farm four kilometres north of Laurencekirk is seeking to install a 48-metre wind turbine.

Mains of Pittarrow Farm is proposing to construct a 100kW turbine with a rotor diameter of 23.6m and a hub height of 36.8m.

The application also details the need for associated works, such as the formation of new road access, construction of an area of hardstanding and the construction of a substation building.

Seven properties lie within one kilometre of the proposed turbine location.

The plan has been recommended for refusal by Aberdeenshire Council’s director of infrastructure services, Stephen Archer.

He notes there are 28 turbines which have been approved in the five kilometres surrounding the site and a further 57 turbines which have been approved within five to 10km of the location.

In his report to councillors, he states: “In principle, Aberdeenshire Council supports the installation of renewable energy facilities, such as wind turbines.

“The impact on the landscape, built and natural heritage and the amenity of those living in the surrounding area must be fully assessed.

“Due to its scale, flat landform and simple pattern, the Howe of Mearns Landscape Character Area (LCA) is capable of accommodating limited amounts of wind energy.

“Its open character and visual sensitivity reduce both the size and numbers of turbines that can be accommodated.

“However, current development takes up nearly all of the capacity in this LCA.”

Mr Archer also noted that the turbine would add to the visual impact of turbines in the area.

He added: “With the number of turbines within 10km of the site, the sequential cumulative impacts are already significant when travelling through the area.

“The proposed turbine would further increase these cumulative impacts, thus continuing to erode the visual amenity of the area and the landscape’s character.”

The plan will be discussed at Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on Tuesday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/15/council-planner-advises-against-mearns-farm-wind-turbine-project/