Controversy over windfarm tactics

Two councillors have questioned a windfarm company's decision to hold an open meeting in Bankfoot yesterday - three months before a public enquiry will put the controversial plans under the microscope.

Stathtay councillors John Kellas and Alasdair Wylie maintain their opposition to a plan to construct a 14-turbine windfarm on Scone Estates-owned land in Logiealmond, six miles west of Dunkeld.

The application - by AMEC Wind - was rejected by Perth and Kinross Council in July 2008. AMEC Wind has subsequently been purchased by Swedish energy giant Vattenfall, who appealed the council's decision to Scottish Ministers.

Arrangements for the public local enquiry on the appeal have been made by the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, to be held in Amulree in August under reporter Michael Shiel.

Councillors Kellas and Wylie expressed surprise at the pre-enquiry meeting organised by the appellants.

Vattenfall invited residents of the Bankfoot and Dunkeld areas to yesterday's open day on the windfarm proposal in Bankfoot.

In a joint statement the councillors asserted: "As local councillors we are surprised that the appellants should at this stage in the proceedings choose to do this, but as they have done so we feel that it is important to ensure that residents know why we opposed the planning application last year and why we will oppose allowing the appeal.

"The proposal does not comply with the council's development plan and related policies in a number of respects. This was why the council's development control committee refused the application.

"Even more than other windfarm applications in this area, the Logiealmond proposal is the wrong thing in the wrong place, which would add to the defacing of the landscape of the area and with it severe risks to the local economy. An essential issue is that it will be visible from more directions and from farther distances than any other windfarms proposed for this part of Highland Perthshire (Griffin, allowed on appeal, and Calliacher, PLI under way)

"The cumulative impact (landscape and visual) with the already allowed Griffin windfarm with 68 turbines is a critical factor and was central to the report prepared by Perth and Kinross Council planning officers as the basis for their recommendation to refuse.

"To come to question of local impact, what will the Logielamond proposal actually mean for the residents of Strathbraan? For many of them it will mean not just seeing giant wind turbines when you step out of your back door - as will be the case because of Griffin, for some only a kilometre away - but if Logielamond is permitted, also seeing them when you step out of the front door or look out of your front windows across the strath to Findowie Hill. No escape!

"The potential costs to the local economy - which in Strathbraan has seen the development of new outdoor activity businesses in recent years - are already a big concern. For some residents the worry of living with windfarm applications has meant too much uncertainty for investment.

"The disruption that Griffin will cause to lives and livelihoods is bad enough, but to compound this with the Logiealmond development is to say yes to major impact on local amenity, residence, work and recreation."

The statement also addressed concerns over the impact on the area's delicate ecosystems, and concluded: "As councillors we believe there are compelling reasons for opposing the proposed Logiealmond windfarm, and we will continue to do so."