February 20, 2016
Scotland

Controversial Mintlaw turbine to be agreed after site visit

By Joshua King | The Press and Journal | 19 February 2016 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Controversial plans to build a 260ft wind turbine near a north-east village could finally be approved.

Local residents and the Ministry of Defence have objected to the proposals for Nether Hythie Farm, near Mintlaw, which were first tabled by Lonmay firm Oosterhof and Co in 2013.

Buchan councillors rejected the scheme three years ago, and deferred the application when it returned to the area committee last month.

But now, following a visit to the site, the committee is expected to grant planning permission to the family company.

In a report to councillors – who will meet at Peterhead’s Buchan House council HQ on Tuesday to debate the scheme – infrastructure chief Stephen Archer said: “In principle, Aberdeenshire Council supports the installation of renewable energy facilities such as wind turbines.

“The proposal will have an impact on the character of the local area, both individually and cumulatively, and an impact from some viewpoints. However, this impact is on balance considered acceptable.”

The local authority did receive a formal objection from the MoD raising concerns that the turbine would cause “unacceptable interference” to it’s RAF Buchan radar operation.

However representatives from the developers addressed councillors in January and said there are now modern adaptations that can be made to turbines of this size to reduce interference.

It is understood the developer will work with the MoD to mitigate the project’s impact, if planning permission is granted.

Council planners also received a total of 24 complaints from 16 different local households, raising a host of concerns including noise, visual and environmental impact, and the effect on local wildlife.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/02/20/controversial-mintlaw-turbine-to-be-agreed-after-site-visit/