A proposed offshore windfarm would be seen miles from some of the north-east’s most popular vantage points, councillors heard yesterday.
Plans for 11, 639ft turbines off Aberdeen Bay were submitted to Marine Scotland earlier this year and, as part of the planning process, local councillors are being asked for their views.
The scheme has attracted 400 letters of support, but has a vocal opponent in US billionaire Donald Trump whose £750million golf resort is being built nearby.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee was shown photo-montages, revealing the turbines would be seen from Torry Battery, Kincorth Hill, Aberdeen Beach, Slains Castle and Forvie Nature Reserve.
Councillors Paul Johnston and Isobel Davidson raised concerns about the impact on the landscape in Balmedie, while Councillor Jim Gifford questioned why the site bet-ween Blackdog and Bridge of Don had been chosen.
The Mid-Formartine representative said: “I don’t see why we should be putting this development on the longest, best beach in the north-east of Scotland. I’m sure there must be a technical reason, but I can’t see it.”
He was backed by Ellon councillor Gillian Owen, who said: “I’m perplexed as to why this site has been chosen. I’m fully supportive of renewable energy but I’m not sure about this on our shorelines.”
Councillor Rob Merson suggested the site was a practical location, as it meant the turbines would be easily accessible for any repairs. Surely one of the reasons is that it is cheaper and easier to maintain when they are in the position they are proposing,” said Mr Merson.
“We’re aspiring to be the renewable capital of Europe and trying to move from oil and gas to renewables, with this and other projects such as the Energetica corridor.”
He suggested that since it was a test facility, the developers could experiment with colours and finishes of the turbines to ensure they did not impact on the landscape too much – a suggestion welcomed by his colleagues.
The committee agreed they were “broadly supportive” of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre application, which is a £150million joint venture by utility company Vattenfall, engineering firm Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.
Last night the project’s spokesman, David Rodger, said: “The project partners welcome the positive response to proposals for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre by Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee.”
Councillors in Buchan will now be consulted on the plans, before the council’s infrastructure services committee forward their views to Marine Scotland, which will have the final say.