A FARMER has lost his appeal against the refusal of planning consent to put up a wind turbine beside Prince Charles’ summer holiday home, the Castle of Mey.
The area planning committee rejected the proposal because of the likely impact on the setting of the castle and the potential noise nuisance.
Scottish Government inquiry reporter Scott Ferrie rejected the former grounds of refusal but agreed with concern about the noise with which local residents could have to put up.
Farmer Barrogill Angus wanted to put up a 20KW turbine on his farm at Barrogill Mains, about 680 yards to the east of the 16th-century castle.
Highland Council’s planning committee turned down the scheme in June. In his findings, Mr Ferrie said he did not believe the turbine – with a blade-tip height of 88ft – would spoil the views of the former holiday home of the late Queen Mother.
He stated: “I am generally satisfied that the scale of the proposed turbine would not be at odds with its surroundings.”
He noted that mature trees and the farm steading were between the turbine and the castle.
Mr Ferrie upheld the other ground on which the council refused the application.
Tests found nearby residents could be subjected to noise levels above acceptable levels.
The trust which owns and operates the Class A listed building was not among the 18 objectors to the development.