"Catastrophic failure" fears if Kincraig wind farm gets go-ahead

CHECKS to ensure the strength of rocks on the site of a proposed wind farm on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park will be carried out if planning consent is granted, it has emerged.

RNE-npower Renewables wants to build 31 turbines at Allt Duine on the Alvie, Dalraddy and Dunachton estates, on a site just 440 yards from the Cairngorms National Park’s western boundary.

Andrew Highton, who previously worked for the British Geological Survey (BGS) and now runs his own consultancy, claimed there was a potential for "catastrophic failure" of the turbines because of the poor condition of the land.

Mr Highton said he surveyed the area during the 1990s while working on a 1:50,000 scale map for the Monadhliath and Central Highland areas for BGS and found that it was prone to deep weathering effect which reduces the strength of the bedrock.

He said the developers "have not done their research" because of information contained in their environmental impact assessment.

However, an RWE npower renewables spokesperson said: "The Allt Duine site is not subject to any national or international designation for geological interest.

"A geology assessment was commissioned as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, and further site investigations to identify rock strength and the extent of any weathering, will be undertaken at each turbine location if the wind farm is consented, and prior to any construction."