The promoters of a windfarm scheme in Moray have rejected claims that the development would damage tourism.

Objector Grant Gordon, owner of distiller William Grant and Sons, had said that the proposed 59-turbine development in Speyside's whisky country would be akin to building in the middle of France's Champagne region.

Now, developer Infinergy has turned his argument on its head, claiming the Champagne region has more than 20 flourishing windfarms.

The Dutch-run energy firm hopes to erect the turbines at Hill of Dorenell on the Glenfiddich Estate, near Dufftown.

The structures would be more than 410ft high and would power almost 100,000 homes through the National Grid.

The firm must apply to the Scottish Government rather than the local authority because of the scale of the plan.

But Moray Council must be consulted and, if it objects, a public inquiry will be held.

The government is due to make a decision on September 29.

Three main groups are objecting to the scheme - Save Our Scenic Moray, Stop Dorenell Windfarm and the Speyside Business Alliance - which insist the windfarm would badly damage tourism.

Infinergy has now released a statement detailing renewable energy developments across the Champagne region, and insists the farms are well supported by local government and businesses.

It said: "Not only does the Champagne region have more than 20 windfarms, many of them located close to the famous champagne-producing vineyards of Montagne de Reims, the Vallee de la Marne and Cote des Blancs, but there are plans to site more of them in the area."

The statement also says the local authority in Champagne-Ardenne has a climate-change action plan in which it promotes the area as being "suitable for the development of wind energy".

The promoters have also contacted 10 tourism businesses in Champagne to gauge their views on the developments and say nine support the farms.

Last night, Mr Gordon revealed he was a director of champagne producer Laurent-Perrier and visited the area regularly for meetings. He insisted he had not seen any windfarms in the most popular growing areas.

"I would challenge what they're saying," he said. "I've no doubt there are windfarms in Champagne, but they're not in the main growing areas where most tourists go."

Looking to the Champagne local authority's support for windfarms, Mr Gordon said the proposed site for the Dorenell farm was outwith Moray Council's designated area for windfarm construction.