Blackhills Wind Farm takes another step towards becoming a reality after conclusion of final community consultation events across Moray
A proposed wind farm near Elgin has taken another step towards becoming a reality with the developers behind the plans hopeful of submitting an official planning application later this year.
The news follows the completion of a second round of community consultation events held last month for the Blackhills Wind Farm located seven kilometres south-east of Elgin.
Koehler Renewable Energy UK (KRE) wants to build up to six turbines, each with a tip height of around 200 metres, and a battery energy storage system on the site.
Last year, Moray campaigners claimed that the turbines, which could be nearly 10 times the height of Elgin’s Ladyhill monument, would dominate the skyline.
But revisions to the plans, thanks to initial consultation events held in October last year, have already been made.
That includes a reduction to the number of turbines planned for the site from an initial eight down to six.
The revised exhibition boards were available to view at the company’s most recent consultation events held in Elgin, Lhanbryde and Fochabers.
KRE says that since June last year, over 200 people have attended its events while over a thousand unique visitors have engaged directly through the project website.
The company says it will now collate all feedback received and will respond to key points in the coming weeks on its project website.
Alan Mathewson, Koehler Renewable Energy UK director, said: “Over seven events, we have held constructive and meaningful dialogue with communities.
“We have spoken extensively with the local community and have sought to incorporate all views, wherever possible, into the final proposals, including reducing the number of turbines.
“Conversations are ongoing with the community about ideas to utilise a potential community benefit fund.
“While not a material planning consideration, we feel it is critical to show a commitment to areas we operate, and we’ve listened and collated ideas for the future.
“It is the commitment of the whole team to remain visible and accessible to answer any questions in the run-up to determination and beyond.
“Project updates and communications will be accessible through our website, and we invite anyone with additional comments to contact us.
"We thank everyone for their constructive feedback and engagement with the development, and we look forward to future discussions.”
The wind farm, once complete, could have a total site capacity of up to 42MW while the battery energy storage system would be up to 20MW in capacity.
According to KRE, Scottish ministers will determine the application with Moray Council as a statutory consultee due to the overall capacity of the site.
Submission of a planning application is expected in the second quarter of this year.
