Aberchirder anger as wind turbines get the go-ahead
?
RESIDENTS opposed to plans for three 80-metre-high wind turbines on the outskirts of Aberchirder said they felt let down by councillors after they backed the development.
Local members at the Banff and Buchan area committee meeting supported the application for the three structures, at Mains of Auchinderran, to the dismay of nearby residents’ group All Concerned About Foggie Turbines (ACAFT) who strongly objected to it.
The group spokesman told ‘The Banffshire Journal’ this week that councillors had not fully taken their objections into consideration.
He said: “We are really disappointed at this decision and feel let down by our local councillors. They said very little at the committee meeting. Councillor Ian Tait from Fraserburgh was the only one who really quizzed the planning officials about the turbines, and in our view he did not receive clear answers.
“The councillors also failed during their recent site visit to go to the property which will be most affected, and we feel they did not fully appreciate the implications for those who will be closest to the turbines.
“Councillor John Cox said he could not comment because he had failed to attend the recent site visit by his colleagues and planning officials.”
Councillors were told at the meeting that Aberdeenshire Council planners were not opposed to the application but described it as a “borderline” case.
Planner Katherine Donnachie said: “There is capacity in the landscape for this development, due to its siting and scale, which will not overwhelm the area.
“It is essential, however, to highlight that this development represents the limit to the capacity for large-scale windfarm developments in this immediate area.”
Nearby resident Dr Alexander Robertson said: “The scheme has caused a lot of disharmony in the community.
“Due to the large-scale impact of the development it will be overbearing and dominant to residents in the area.”
Aberdeenshire Council received 135 letters of objection highlighting concerns over the proximity to houses, the impact on property prices, noise, safety, the impact on wildlife, the effects on television reception, soil pollution and loss in tourism trade. A slightly larger number of letters were presented in support of the turbines.
The objectors had put up an 80-metre-high balloon near the proposed location of the turbines to give councillors conducting a site visit an indication of the size of the structures.
Applicant Brian Greig, of Mains of Auchinderran Farm, told the meeting that uncertainty in the farming industry had meant he had to diversify his business.
He said: “I informed the public of my plans, and the vast majority of people I have spoken with are in support of the application.
“It will help sustain my farming, contract fencing and holiday lodges businesses and I see wind turbines enhancing the countryside.”
Fraserburgh councillor Ian Tait motioned that wind measurements should be made at the site before any decision was made, but failed to find support.
Fellow Fraserburgh councillor Michael Watt added: “I find it frustrating in Scotland that we have this romantic idea that things should not change, but we still want to move forward.
“We had the same thing with telegraph poles and electricity pylons in the countryside.
“There is a desire for clean, green energy and I motion we approve this application.”
The committee agreed with the motion and planning consent will now be delegated to the head of planning and building standards, subject to conditions.