November 29, 2017
Scotland

Objectors told visibility ‘not reason in itself’ to block windfarms

Two new turbines approved in face of protests | Turbines given go-ahead despite view from castle | By Joane Warnock | The Press and Journal | 29 November 2017 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Two new wind turbines near an Aberdeenshire castle were given the go-ahead yesterday despite concerns the area had reached “saturation point” with the eco-technology.

Approval was given yesterday at the Formartine area committee for the two 242ft structures on land approximately a mile north of Fyvie Castle. Having already twice deferred the decision, councillors voted to allow the constructions, although local member Anne Stirling voiced her concern about the amount of turbines already erected in the area.

She said: “We are now fairly surrounded by turbines and I think a saturation point has been reached.”

Inverurie firm Green Cat Renewables submitted the plans to erect the two turbines, and William Wyness from the company said last night he was “delighted” that the long-awaited decision had been made.

The authority’s planning service had suggested to members of the region’s area committee that, despite concerns, there was nothing to prevent the massive structures from being installed on the land.

Groups including Aberdeen International Airport, Atkins Global and British Telecom were consulted on the projected and had not raised any objections.

Fyvie community council did not want the scheme to go ahead because of the its “closeness” to Fyvie Castle, Fyvie Station and the “proliferation of wind turbines in this area”.

However, director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer recommended councillors approve the turbines.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/11/29/objectors-told-visibility-not-reason-in-itself-to-block-windfarms/