Plans have been tabled for a six-turbine windfarm on Donside.
Opponents claim the 377ft masts proposed for a site near Alford would be visible from as far away as Corgarff and Kemnay and would “industrialise” the scenic area.
Edinburgh-based Infinis Energy wants to erect the structures near a derelict farmhouse at Tibber-chindy. The firm had originally planned to put up nine turbines, but has scaled back the scheme and changed its layout to make it less prominent.
The company had lodged a planning application with Aberdeenshire Council and claims the windfarm would generate enough electricity to power between 8,000-8,500 homes.
But locals have set up a No To Tibberchindy Windfarm group and claim the development on Coiliochbhar Hill would mean the “industrialisation” of an unspoilt area.
The group has created a graphic to highlight the scale of the proposed turbines when set against Craigievar Castle, which is around a third of the height of the structures but several miles from the proposed site three miles west of Alford.
Campaigner Vicky Dawson, of Breda, said: “We have been in limbo for the past 12 months. With the application put in, the fight against this windfarm begins in earnest now.”
She said the turbines scheme was totally inappropriate for the site.
Comments on the project have to be sent to local authority planners by November 15 and the campaign group is urging local people to send in letters of opposition.
The protest group has described the Tibberchindy scheme as “an industrialisation of an area of great natural beauty” which would have an adverse impact on the tourist trail route to Upper Donside.
Infinis project manager Ben Ridder said a series of public consultations had taken place in the area and public comments had been taken into account in drawing up the application for full planning permission.