Consortium behind plans for ‘monstrous eyesore’ wind farm off Aberdeen coast submits planning application

THE consortium behind controversial plans for a wind farm off the coast of Aberdeen - branded a “monstrous eyesore” by tycoon Donald Trump - has submitted a planning application for the onshore works connected to the development, it was revealed today.

• Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to cancel £750 million golf resort at Menie over the 11-turbine scheme

• Planning application centred on onshore works connected to development

• Onshore works described as ‘key welement’ of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC)

The American billionaire has repeatedly threatened to pull the plug on his £750 million golf resort development at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire because of the plans for the 11-turbine offshore sceheme, spearheaded by Swedish electricity company Vattenfall.

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), which would be built within one and a half miles of his championship golf course, is planned to be built at a cost of £230 million to test newly designed wind turbines and their capabilities.

A spokeswoman for the consortium said: “The partners behind the EOWDC have submitted a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council for onshore works.The application for a cable route and substation compound on land to the South east of Blackdog village would form part of the onshore connection between the proposed EOWDC and the National Electricity Transmission System.

“Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd (AOWF) also anticipates submitting a planning application for onshore works to Aberdeen City Council after identifying a second option for a cable route and substation compound.

Iain Todd, project spokesman for the EOWDC, said: “The onshore works are a key element of the EOWDC which will deliver major economic benefits to Aberdeen City and Shire, Scotland and the UK. The EOWDC is also widely recognised as a centre of European importance, helping to accelerate the development of the offshore wind industry.”

He said that, as part of the application, AOWFL would be conducting a public consultation with the local community between 18 January and 8 February.

Mr Todd continued:“The consultation process ensures that the local community and key stakeholders have the opportunity to express their views on the proposals for the onshore works at an early stage, in advance of a planning application being submitted.”

The spokeswoman for the consortium added: “Recent Government reports have concluded that, with an enormous ramping up of installed offshore wind capacity expected in UK waters by the end of this decade, deployment centres like the EOWDC will play a vital role in helping to reduce the cost of generation in offshore wind and deliver more than £7billion in added value to the UK economy. The EOWDC consortium believes that the centre will place the North East and Scotland at the forefront of the globally-competitive offshore wind industry.”

AOWFL has already announced the signing of working agreements with six potential suppliers to deploy state-of-the-art wind turbines at the EOWDC site.