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Planners side with objectors over windfarm

Press & Journal|Leanna MacLarty|August 13, 2009
United Kingdom (UK)Impact on LandscapeImpact on Views

Nearly 600 letters of objection have been sent to Aberdeenshire Council calling for the refusal of plans for seven wind turbines on the ridge of Pressendye hill, near Cushnie. Council planners have agreed with objectors and recommended the proposal for refusal over fears that the 410ft turbines would have "unacceptable adverse visual impacts" on the surrounding countryside.


Refusal recommended over fears of visual impact on Cushnie countryside

Contentious plans for a windfarm overlooking a national park look likely to be rejected by councillors.

Nearly 600 letters of objection have been sent to Aberdeenshire Council calling for the refusal of plans for seven wind turbines on the ridge of Pressendye hill, near Cushnie.

Council planners have agreed with objectors and recommended the proposal for refusal over fears that the 410ft turbines would have "unacceptable adverse visual impacts" on the surrounding countryside.

Objectors have sent 582 letters to the local authority, raising a vast number of concerns over the proposed scheme which run over several pages in a report to go before councillors.

They …

... more [truncated due to possible copyright]
Refusal recommended over fears of visual impact on Cushnie countryside

Contentious plans for a windfarm overlooking a national park look likely to be rejected by councillors.

Nearly 600 letters of objection have been sent to Aberdeenshire Council calling for the refusal of plans for seven wind turbines on the ridge of Pressendye hill, near Cushnie.

Council planners have agreed with objectors and recommended the proposal for refusal over fears that the 410ft turbines would have "unacceptable adverse visual impacts" on the surrounding countryside.

Objectors have sent 582 letters to the local authority, raising a vast number of concerns over the proposed scheme which run over several pages in a report to go before councillors.

They include fears that the number of local wildlife species could be affected, the negative visual impact on the landscape and the detrimental effect on television reception in the area.

Supporters sent 28 letters to the council backing the scheme. They say Pressendye is an ideal site for a windfarm and the proposed layout is "aesthetically well-constructed" and considers local ecology.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has objected to the scheme, which would sit only three miles from the border with the park.

Discussions were held between the council and Cushnie Wind Energy about the size and scale of the project.

"A conclusion was reached that any scale or number of turbines at this site would have a detrimental impact on the landscape and as such should not be supported," council official Neil Mair writes in the report.

The turbines were likely to have an impact on tourism in the national park because it would lessen the enjoyment of people taking part in outdoor activities nearby.

Cushnie Wind Energy says the seven-turbine scheme would produce enough energy to power 5,500 homes and reduce carbon emissions by more than 25,000 tonnes a year.

Two protest groups were formed as a response to the submission of the plans in January 2008 - Stop Turbines on Pressendye (SToP) and Cushnie Wind Action Group.

National bird charity the RSPB has not lodged an objection but says thousands of geese can be present around Pressendye. It has asked for further studies to be carried out.

Members of the Marr area committee will consider the application on Tuesday.


Source:http://www.pressandjournal.co…

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