An offshore windfarm opposed by US billionaire Donald Trump will be discussed by councillors for the final time this week.
Plans for the 11-turbine development off Aberdeen Bay were submitted to Marine Scotland last year – prompting an angry response from Mr Trump, whose £750million golf resort is being built nearby. Last week he threatened to walk away from the development if the Scottish Government allows the 639ft turbines to be built between Balmedie and Blackdog.
On Thursday, members of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee will discuss the plans before giving their views to Marine Scotland, which has the final say.
In a report, head of planning and building standards Robert Gray tells councillors their main focus should be on the “impact” the turbines will have on the area.
He said: “It must be emphasised that, due to the size of the turbines proposed, they will be visible from some distance from coastal locations throughout the eastern coast of Aberdeenshire.
“As there are no offshore turbines in this area at present, the installation of these will create a significant visual effect on these coastal areas of Aberdeenshire north of Aberdeen.”
Despite this, the committee will be urged to back the plans in line with colleagues from Formartine and Buchan, who were “broadly supportive” of the application when they discussed it last month.
The application has been put forward by the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre and is a £150million joint venture by utility company Vattenfall, engineering firm Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.
Marine Scotland has had 406 letters of support and 14 objections in response to the application.
Last week Mr Trump, who previously described the turbines as “disastrous and environmentally irresponsible”, said he would not spend “another penny” on his golf resort at Menie until he knew if the turbines were going ahead.
Trump International was granted planning consent for a permanent clubhouse last Tuesday, but hours later Mr Trump said all future aspects of the development – including the hotel – would be halted until the government reaches a final decision on the windfarm.
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