Jim Duffus Attacks Wind Farm

Neil Moir

ABERDEENSHIRE Council will not object to plans to develop a 47-turbine windfarm in a forest, it was decided yesterday.

The formal view follows months of investigation and debate into plans by energy firm Amec in conjunction with the Forestry Commission to establish the 80MW farm in Clashindarroch Forest, near Huntly.

Campaigners last night voiced disappointment that the authority's infrastructure services committee did not back views against the scheme previously raised by its Marr area committee.

Yesterday's committee meeting in Aberdeen was held to formalise the council's view of the development in its role as main consultee.

Members heard Amec plans to set up a community fund in the area if the scheme - which involves clearing 966 hectares of forest land - gets the go-ahead.

Due to the size of the windfarm, the final decision on whether to approve it rests with the Scottish Executive.

Huntly West councillor Joanna Strathdee felt Amec was making real efforts to address local concerns and called for support of the planners' view.

She said the scheme could bring a number of benefits, among them the creation of jobs and of access routes.

Several councillors questioned the efficiency of wind turbines, however, and suggested Scottish Executive subsidies for such schemes should be used to look at various other forms of renewable energy.

A call for independent assessment of Amec's own environmental impact investigation was also made.

Alford councillor Richard Stroud was concerned about the visual impact the scheme would have on the Cairngorms National Park, the boundary of which is just four miles from the proposed site. "It's the equivalent of an industrial development, and its impact on the area will be just that. If it wasn't linked to renewable energy sources, I'm quite sure it wouldn't be sitting here."

Committee chairwoman Alison McInnes stressed the authority had a responsibility to meet national requirements for the use of renewable energies.

Mr Stroud's motion calling for rejection was later defeated by Mrs Strathdee's amendment for support by 16 votes to 10.

This broadly supports the planners' recommendation that the development's principle is supported by the council.

The response will be sent to the executive alongside a series of recommended conditions of approval relating to noise, traffic, public access, visual impact, and the effect on hydrology.

An Amec spokesman later said Amec had made efforts to address comments from those living nearby through public exhibitions and house visits.

"The final proposal put forward to the Scottish Executive not only incorporates the results of the numerous environmental studies carried out during the site's development, it also takes into consideration the views aired by the local community.

"Through this, Amec are confident that the proposed Clashindarroch windfarm is well-designed and sympathetic to the local environment.

"We believe that, should the proposal gain planning permission, a lot of people with concerns will find themselves pleasantly surprised."

Friends of the Clash member Jim Duffus said he was disappointed the infrastructure services committee had not supported the majority conclusion of the Marr committee.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said consultation is continuing, and various responses are still being awaited before determination of the proposal can take place.