The four-week public consultation for the proposed 17-turbine Hill of Fare wind farm north of Banchory has closed, with one of the largest ever responses to the developer.
Hill of Fare developers RES hosted four events throughout October and November that attracted 370 people and generating 360 comments.
RES says it is one of the largest ever set of responses it has had to a UK onshore wind farm proposal.
It says if the project gets the green light it could produce enough electricity to meet the annual demand of around 90,000 homes while delivering approximately £4.7 million of inward investment into the area in the form of jobs, employment, and the use of local services.
Development project manager at RES, Gavin Shirley, said: “We are delighted with the levels of engagement received from the community as we wanted to consult early with people on the proposals to maximise the potential for their comments to influence the design over the coming months.
“Onshore wind, together with large scale solar and offshore wind, is the cheapest form of electricity generation, and projects like Hill of Fare can play an important role in not only helping to tackle the climate change emergency but also the cost of living crisis.
“Onshore wind provides sustainable, low-carbon electricity which can be deployed quickly and delivered at lower costs than other technologies.
“After we have finished reviewing the consultation feedback our project team will carefully consider people’s comments in relation to the design, together with the technical and environmental survey work and key consultee responses.
“We would like to thank all those who took the time to share their feedback with us.”
© Supplied by RESHill of Fare backlash
Locals have raised concerns about the proposed 820ft turbines set to stand less than four miles from Banchory.
RES planning documents show that the turbines will be “theoretically visible” with viewpoints from 20 miles away in all directions; from Moray to Angus.
A local resident of 40 years, Frank Murray of Midmar, voiced his objection in an open letter received by the Aberdeen Journals and local politicians.
He described his home as “an idyllic place to live”, however, his south-facing land would look on to RES’ proposed wind farm.
Mr Murray has enjoyed the “peace and tranquillity of the surrounding countryside” since his home was built in 1982 but is now worried that this will be ruined if the project comes to fruition.
© Supplied by RESThis Midmar resident was not alone in his objections with local MP Andrew Bowie describing the project as “simply too big”.
The MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine said: “These turbines will be of a scale not seen on the Scottish landscape ever before, they constitute a substantial deviation from Aberdeenshire Council’s recommended tip height of 250ft and will tower above natural landmarks for miles in all directions.”
Mr Murray also pointed out that the combined height of the proposed turbines and the hill they will stand on measures 2365 ft.
This is taller than the largest mountain in the Aberdeenshire area, Bennachie, which stands at 1,732ft, and “can be seen throughout much of the county”, Murray said.
© Ryan Duff/DCT MediaRecommended for you
