Objections put Cairngorm wind farm plan on hold
A CONTROVERSIAL wind farm earmarked for the edge of the Cairngorms National Park will be examined at a public inquiry after councillors lodged an objection.
RWE-npower Renewables wants to build the 31-turbine Allt Duine wind farm on the Alvie, Dalraddy and Dunachton estates, near Kincraig. The 410ft structures would be 440 yards from the national park’s western boundary.
In December Highland councillors deferred comment on the application, although officials recommended the authority raise no objection to the development that will be determined by Scottish ministers.
Yesterday the council’s planning application committee took the UK’s highest railway journey to help them assess the visual impact of the proposal. They travelled on the funicular close to the summit of Cairn Gorm to get a view of where the wind farm may be built before voting 9-3 in favour of voicing an objection to the plan, a move that will trigger an inquiry to discuss the application.
They backed committee vice chairman Dave Fallows who said the council should object on the grounds of the proximity to the Cairngorm National Park, the significant detriment to the landscape of the Monadhliath mountain range and the emerging Draft Highland Renewable Energy Strategy.
Another local councillor, Stuart Black, said with the park covering five local authority areas, other possible developments will come forward.
“I would like this to go to a public inquiry to see what weight is given in national policy and guidelines to the impact on a national park,” he said.
Inverness councillor Donnie Kerr said he was concerned at the cumulative effect of developments on the park: “I wonder when will enough be enough? Will it be when we replace the old great forest of Caledon with a forest of wind farms?”
But another Inverness councillor Thomas Prag said on balance he felt the committee did not have sufficient grounds to object.
RWE said efforts would be made to minimise the visual impact of the development.
An online petition against the development has gained hundreds of signatures and 23 objections were sent to the council and another 105 to the Scottish Government, with 24 in support.
Objectors included the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the John Muir Trust, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Scottish Campaign for National Parks and some local estates.
The council’s stance was welcomed by the Save the Monadhliath Mountains (SMM) campaign which said the development in an area of unspoilt wild land would be devastating and “a step too far”.
Chris Townsend, a spokesman for the group, said: “A huge amount of Scottish natural heritage is at stake and it is crucial that the proposal is assessed thoroughly. The only way to guarantee a meticulous assessment is for the application to be heard at a full public inquiry undertaken by the Scottish Government.”
SMM says the Allt Duine wind farm is one of 11 developments proposed or currently under construction on the edge of the national park and are concerned about the cumulative effect of turbines on the landscape. The campaign is backed by more than 1,300 supporters and organisations such as Scottish Campaign for National Parks, Walk Highlands and Scotland-Landscapes.
Jenny Gascoigne, RWE npower renewables’, wind development manager for Scotland said the council’s decision was a disappointing set back.
She said: “The Allt Duine Wind Farm is located in the Highland Council’s preferred area of search for wind farms. Although close to the Cairngorm National Park, the turbines would be shielded from view by the ridgeline which forms the Park boundary.”
She said the turbines would not be visible from Kincraig, Kingussie or Aviemore or along the A9 corridor adding: “We believe the proposed layout will have minimal affects on all aspects of the environment and Scottish Natural Heritage has not objected to this application. We are confident that we will have a strong case to put forward at the public inquiry.”
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
FreeranGeegs
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:51 PMIt is rare for me to write to the media these days but I couldn't let the quote about Denmark pass. If you do in depth research you will find Denmark is pulling out of using wind as a source of power. To believe that wind can provide all the power Scotland needs is like knitting yoghurt. Neither are possible. Scotland is one of my favourite holiday destinations but if these infernal towers continue to be erected you'll not see me past Hadrian's Wall. No doubt there are many more with the same feelings.
Banbury lass
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:27 PMBrian you can not make the assumption that anyone who has concerns over the impact of industrial wind turbines has not done any research. I am not misguided nor am I ignorant. It is evident that you may be misinofrmed if you think that this is the answer to renewable energy. Wind turbines are ineffective and the power from them can not be stored, in the coldest of weathers likethe winter last year there was no wind.. no wind no power. too much wind and they have to be turned off as they are dangerous. The impact on the environment is also a big concern, not just through spoiling landscapes. It is also evident that you have not reaserched the concerns shared by many throughout the world on the impact on health by putting these too close to people. Scotland is known for its raw beauty and this is a big turnoff for tourism on which Scotland heavily relies, so this is foolhardy to spoil such lovely beauty spots. Lastly everyone's electric bill has gone up to pay the huge subsidies given out to the these companies and industry is taking the biggest knock. that is why Mr Osbourne has spoken out against them too. As for Denmark check out the information readily available, Denmark too is turning away from wind power too expensive, not efficent. It is no good trying to save the planet by destroying the environment.... There are more effective ways of generating renewable energy without this over reliance on wind
brianclark
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:53 AMFor a start Scotland has no need for Nuclear Power. Detractors of Windpower are mostly misguided or totally ignorant on the subject of Energy. For over 90% of the year wind gives enough energy for all Scotland's needs the same as waves, tidal power is 100% all the time and Solar UV in daylight hours and if bio fuels and bio gas are added we have enormous energy potential. This Environmental Revolution can provide Sustainable Employment for thousands of people in every aspect of Technology and Engineering and help us regain a high tech manufacturing base once more, Apart from our own domestic requirements there is a huge potential for exporting the developed technology , as little Denmark has found out ...............a Country far smaller than Scotland but perhaps fifty years ahead of us .
unimpressedone
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 10:21 AMI think the marity of sensible people would prefer a nuclear power station somewhere on the coast as opposed to thousands of useless windmills scattered everywhere that contribute nothing except cash into the pockets of the landowners
nabodican
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 05:18 PM#5 rosieross - I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings Rosie and fully accept that visually you think they are ok, where you are wrong however is to think that they are an alternative to conventional power stations, they are not and never will be. As for no waste and no pollution, you are wrong again. Each of the latest 500 foot high turbines needs up to 2000 tonnes of reinforced concrete in every base which will never be removed and is extremely polluting, add in the fact that over a thousand miles of new tracks have been carved through out hills and you should start to get the picture. If you still like them then think about the fact that the developers get double the normal price of electricity from them which you are paying for.
Ron Greer
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:04 PM5 Please take a look at the Neta website and then get back to us and tell us how many turbines we are going to need to replace coal and nuclear.
rosieross
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 02:57 PMI don't think wind turbines are a problem - they look okay. Better by far than nuclear or coal power! When something better comes along they can be quickly dismantled and no waste or pollution!
Jacqueline Hyde
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:34 AMHow does RWE propose to minimise the visual impact of thirty-one 410 foot structures? The only minimal impact from these follies is the one that they make on the country's electrical energy requirements.
nabodican
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:00 AMI'm afraid we are already well past the stage where enough is enough and it is high time that our elected politicians saw the light and put a stop to the wind folly. These things are simply not fit for purpose unless of course the purpose is to fleece the consumer.
norfolkboy14
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:00 AMWe need to get the Government onside, as well as local councils and others, if we are going to stop these wind turbines being built. Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your objection to the Government on http:epetitions.direct.gov.ukpetitions22958 or by googling "petition 22958" and following the link. Please pass this message on to Councillors, members of your community and anyone else you know to persuade them to sign up too. If you are really concerned about wind turbines please write a letter promoting this petition to the Editor of this paper.
The Genuine Mario Antionette
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 12:33 AMFergus Ewing & the SNP have have shown that they have no regard or respect for preserving Scotland's scenery & environment.
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