The developers behind a proposed 18-turbine windfarm in the scenic Clashindarroch Forest have been demonstrating their plans to residents across the area.
Public displays on the controversial project led by Swedish firm Vattenfall started on Tuesday at Cabrach School, near Dufftown, and continued the following day at Rhynie.
The final event took place at the Gordon Arms Hotel, in Huntly, yesterday.
Project manager David Rodger said the response had been extremely positive.
“The aim has been to give everyone across the area an opportunity to see what is being proposed and discuss any concerns,” he added.
“Computer technology has let us show just what the windfarm would look like from each community’s perspective.
“It has been particularly busy today and the response very favourable.”
Vattenfall, now Europe’s fifth-largest producer of electricity, held similar open sessions across the area in March.
The latest provided an update on its planning submission to Aberdeenshire Council.
Mr Rodger said the planning process was expected to take several months, but the company was hopeful of receiving approval by the end of the year. He said construction would take 14 months, with an environmental manager on-site throughout to carefully monitor work, and the completed windfarm produce enough electricity to supply 27,670 homes.
Not everyone has been won over by the company’s plans, however.
A spokeswoman for the Friends of Clash protest group said it would be submitting objections to planners.
The group claims Clashindarroch Forest, on the edge of the Cairngorms National park, is a totally unsuitable site for such a development and the turbines would have an adverse effect on wildlife and the unspoilt appeal of the area for tourists.
A previous 22-turbine project at Clashindarroch proposed by engineering and management group Amec was rejected following a planning inquiry two years ago. Amec subsequently sold its wind energy division to Vattenfall.
Mr Rodger said the findings of the 2007 inquiry had been fully assessed and taken into account in developing the new scheme.
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