February 20, 2015
Scotland

Wind farm storm at Rossie blows up again

Montrose Review | 20 February 2015 | www.montrosereview.co.uk

Campaigners against a wind farm outside of Montrose have sent out a leaflet urging people to object to another plan for turbines.

A planning application for two wind turbines on land just West of Rossie Woods was lodged in January.

The 2013 application by the same developers, for three turbines, was withdrawn having attracted more than 90 objections.

The height of the turbines has been reduced to 34 metre towers and 51 metres to blade tip.

STORM (Stop Turbines on Rossie Moor) say the towers alone will be taller than the total height of the turbine on Westerton Farm, which is 20m to hub, 26.5m to blade tip.

This is third application for turbines at Rossie Moor, the first lodged in 2012 was abandoned following protests from STORM.

Construction traffic would use the road from the A92 past Gichtyburn, Mountboy and South of Rossie School.

Virginia Fraser, who lives at West Mains of Rossie, said: “It is sad that we find ourselves fighting this battle yet again, but we will do our best.

“Recently I sent out a leaflet to alert local residents about a new application for wind turbines on Arbikie land near Rossie Moor.

“Now we have learnt that the closing date for objections is March 7.

“Once again, we are calling on local residents and all country-lovers to send in their objections ASAP!

“This could be the thin end of a very large wedge: in 2012 there was a plan to erect six turbines at this site.”

She added: “The turbines are tall enough to be a danger to birds, especially geese and swans.

“They will still be close to Rossie Moor and the only public footpath which crosses it, and even closer to the footpath linking it to the Mountboy road.

“The electricity posts are (I’m guessing) about 15m high; the proposed turbines are 51m high and will be close to this path which is well used by walkers, riders, and cyclists, despite attempts by the landowners wipe it out.

“At its North end this path joins TA101, one of the County’s Core Pathways and the only open path across the Moor, and they link up with various other paths such as those in Rossie Woods.

“It would be a terrible shame if this development were allowed to spoil what is a rather special corner of the county.

“One resident remarked rather sourly: ‘If they’re so keen on turbines they should put them with the other farm buildings – it’s pretty windy up at Arbikie!

“‘Anyway, they’ve got about 2000 acres!’”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/20/wind-farm-storm-at-rossie-blows-up-again/