September 4, 2015
Scotland

Appeal ruling shows Perthshire is closed to major windfarms, claim campaigners

Jamie Buchan | The Courier | 3 September 2015 | www.thecourier.co.uk

A highly controversial wind farm bid has been killed off by Scottish ministers, prompting campaigners to declare Highland Perthshire is now closed to industrial-scale turbine projects.

Renewables giant Force 9 Energy resurrected its plans for 13 giant masts at Aberfeldy after they were thrown out by councillors following complaints from locals, community councils and conservation groups.

The company argued that despite protesters’ claims, the Creag a’ Bhaird project would not be intrusive nor have a negative impact on the landscape at Amulree, which is close to the massive Griffin wind farm.

Now the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) has dismissed the firm’s appeal and refused planning permission.

Reporter Michael Cunliffe, who was appointed to investigate the council’s decision, agreed with objectors that the turbines – each nearly twice the height of Edinburgh’s Scott Monument – would have a significant impact on the surrounding scenery.

Campaigners have welcomed the decision.

For our full report, see Friday’s Courier.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/09/04/appeal-ruling-shows-perthshire-is-closed-to-major-windfarms-claim-campaigners/