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Survey finds only 11% of locals support giant Hill of Fare wind farm
Credit: By Ryan Duff | May 10 2023 | pressandjournal.co.uk ~~
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Nearly three-quarters (71%) of people who attended the Hill of Fare wind farm consultation last year were either against the project or undecided, a community group has found.
The developer behind the giant wind farm proposed for near Banchory recently changed its plans following a public consultation in late 2022.
The Hill of Fare Windfarm Information Group (HFWIG), set up to raise awareness of the scheme, found 18% were either unsure or neutral about it, and only 11% were in favour.
477 people took part in survey
HFWIG received 477 responses to the question “do you support the development” – something the group claims was not asked by the company behind the project, RES.
At the time of the survey RES planned to install 17 turbines, the highest of which would be about 820ft.
Earlier this month it emerged that following input from local residents the design was updated.
The wind farm will now be made up of 11 turbines of 590ft and five of 656ft.
‘Pivotal development’
One member of HFWIG, Jim Briggs, described the project as “potentially a pivotal development for Aberdeenshire”.
Mr Briggs, who lives in Banchory, cannot see the Hill of Fare site from his home.
But he insisted it was a “poor location for a wind farm”.
Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett said: “I have been inundated with comments on the proposed development at Hill of Fare.
“The overwhelming majority of these are negative about the height and scale of the industrial-size wind farm RES has proposed.
“Most support the use of onshore wind as part of Scotland’s energy mix.
“But the majority of residents have strong opinions about the placing of these turbines.”
Mr Burnett added: “As it stands, even the amended offer is too tall, too wide and too much for residents of the communities around Banchory.”
RES was asked for comment.
Developer says nearly 3,000 comments about the scheme
The company has previously said it received 380 comments during its four-week consultation.
When the revised plan was announced, project manager Gavin Shirley said: “We received lots of great feedback from our October 2022 exhibitions, with more than 380 comments forms being submitted to RES – providing almost 3,000 comments across a wide range of topics.
“The largest area of interest was the community benefits the project could deliver to the local area, followed by the landscape and visual considerations.”
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