Councillors urged to object to plans for UK's tallest wind farm in Deeside

Councillors in Aberdeenshire have been recommended by officers to object to plans to build what would become the UK’s tallest wind farm on rural Royal Deeside land.

Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett has written to more than 1,000 constituents urging them to “make their voices heard” on the proposals.

His plea comes ahead of the local authority’s final vote at the Infrastructure Services Committee next Thursday (October 3).

READ MORE:Firefighters battling huge blaze at Aberdeen city centre restaurant

READ MORE:Man, 43, taken to hospital after incident at Aberdeen Harbour

So far, almost 1,500 objections have been lodged against the plans, which would see 16 massive turbines, measuring up to 656ft and twice the height of Big Ben, erected in the countryside at Hill of Fare near Banchory.

Councillors on the committee have been recommended to object to the proposals, as officers say the development would have an “unacceptable significant adverse impact” on cultural heritage and aviation.

As well, concerns have been raised on the effect the wind farm would have on private water supplies at Dunecht Estate Collection Tank and Braeside.

This will be the final stage of the process before it goes to the Scottish Government for a decision, having already been discussed at the Marr, Kincardine and Mearns, and Garioch area committees.

Ahead of the meeting, Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett said: "It’s vital that constituents, which include a variety of businesses, make their voices heard ahead of the final Aberdeenshire Council committee vote on Thursday, October 3.

"So far, councillors have made it clear they are opposed to the Hill of Fare wind farm development at area committee level.

"But there is still one, final stage to go at Infrastructure Services and I strongly encourage everyone to voice their concerns on these plans to highlight the strength of public opinion on this development, which will tarnish our countryside in Royal Deeside.

"If this application is objected at Infrastructure Services, it will send a strong message to the Scottish Government that communities across Aberdeenshire are against this scheme, which if approved, would fire the starting gun on the industrialisation of Royal Deeside."

In his report to be presented to councillors next Thursday, director of environment and infrastructure services, Alan Wood, said: "I consider that the proposed development would have widespread significant adverse effects on landscape character and on views."