Campaign groups, charities, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and even the Ministry of Defence have all signalled their vociferous opposition to the creation of a giant wind farm on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.
Now Aberdeenshire councillors have spoken out to add their voices to those seeking to block plans for the Glendye project and protect the region’s “precious” landscape.
Officials at the authority believe the visual and environmental impacts are so great they would outweigh any benefits from the scheme.
Coriolis Energy has tabled an application to the Scottish Government to install 26 wind turbines and associated infrastructure on the Fasque and Glendye Estates, north of Edzell.
At yesterday’s meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee, elected members agreed with the council’s recommendation to oppose the development and refer the application to the infrastructure services committee for a formal objection to be made.
In a report to the meeting, councillors were told that the local authority considers there would be “significant environmental effects” in terms of landscape and visual amenity.
Local councillor George Carr said: “The aspect which affects us is the visual impact and the widened road that will run through Kincardine and the Mearns.
“The concern is how it will visually sit in what is a fairly precious part of Aberdeenshire.
“A lot of people value this landscape and so I agree with the council’s recommendation.
“It certainly has to be discussed further.”
Under the scheme, which was first unveiled in 2016, 26 turbines would be installed on a 1,500 hectare site.
Each would have a maximum height of 149.9m from ground to blade tip and an electrical capacity of around 4MW.
That would generate an anticipated 104MW across the development, which could have a 30-year lifespan.
Coriolis Energy believes the spot would be ideal for generating environmentally-friendly electricity.
But objectors have argued it will have a negative impact on the natural environment and goes against Aberdeenshire Council’s local development plan.
The Save Clachnaben – Stop the Glendye Windfarm group say some locals fear the turbines could be too close to the popular walkers’ hill of Clachnaben.
And the John Muir Trust, a charity which aims to conserve wild places for the benefit of people and wildlife, has lodged its opposition to the plans.
The Ministry of Defence and Sepa have also objected to the plans.
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