January 27, 2015
Scotland

Carmyllie wind turbine opponents’ prayers are answered

By Richard Watt | The Courier | 27 January 2015 | www.thecourier.co.uk

A higher power has answered the prayers of Angus villagers over a controversial wind power development.

Locogen had applied to put up a 77-metre turbine near Carmyllie’s historic parish church, which was previously rejected by Angus councillors.

The developer had appealed to the Scottish Government’s department for planning and environmental appeals. However, the appeal was turned down on the grounds that it would cause “significant harm to the landscape”.

The congregation was worried the development would affect the quality of light through their stained glass, considered some of the finest in Scotland.

A number of parishioners felt “shadow flicker” from the turbine’s spinning blades would disturb their Sunday services, as well as disrupt the setting of the war memorial and manse.

The church contains stained glass windows by Scotland’s leading artist in that medium during the 19th Century, Stephen Adam.

While dismissing concerns that shadow flicker would have an impact on the windows, reporter Don Rankin denied the appeal, which was made on behalf of landowner Louise Gray of Balcathie Farm.

He wrote: “The openness and isolation of the church and its graveyard and the uninterrupted view across the valley to the south adds to the historical significance of the building.

“It is a key part of its setting and consequently an important feature of the architectural and historic interest of the building.

“The proposed turbine would be a prominent and intrusive feature in the outlook from the churchyard and would, in consequence, harm that aspect of the architectural and historic interest of the building.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/27/carmyllie-wind-turbine-opponents-prayers-are-answered/