May 13, 2016
Scotland

Mountaineers lodge wind farm objection

www.energycentral.com

Mountaineers are objecting to a proposed wind farm project south of the Cairngorms National Park.

Eneco Wind UK Ltd has applied for permission to build 18 turbines of up to 410ft in height in two distinct groups at Macritch Hill, near Backwater Reservoir, Kirriemuir.

It is on land owned by Scottish Water and the utility is looking to the development to generate up to one-third of its energy needs to cut its Pounds 40 million electricity bill.

But the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) says the northern group of seven turbines will cause unacceptable harm to the landscape.

David Gibson, Chief Officer of the MCofS, added: “This is a particularly attractive landscape, so it is visited repeatedly by local mountaineers as well as attracting visitors from a distance.”

He said there were two Munros (mountains over 3,000ft), Mayar and Dreish, and the Corbett (2,500ft-3,000ft) Monameanach, together with Mount Blair and Cat Law within five miles.

A Scottish Water spokesman said: “Renewable energy can help reduce costs of water services. Our development partner has led extensive stakeholder and community engagement and taken all factors into account.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/05/13/mountaineers-lodge-wind-farm-objection/