Planning officials at Aberdeenshire Council are recommending the refusal of an application to build a controversial wind farm on Pressendye. The hill, which is a Graham popular with hill walkers, is an excellent viewpoint over Donside and lower Deeside.
The Council says it received almost 600 letters of objection to the proposal for seven wind turbines on the ridge, which overlooks the Cairngorms National Park. Council planners have agreed with objectors who felt that the visual impact on the surrounding countryside would be unacceptable and that there would be knock on effects for the local tourism industry if people were deterred from using the area for outdoor activities. The National Park also objected to the scheme and the RSPB called for further studies to be carried out because of the large seasonal geese population in the area.
The developer, 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.
The Council is expected to make a final decision on the application next week.
This week saw a step forward for wave-based renewable energy generation as Pelamis Wave Power Ltd announced plans to install 25 wave generators on the west side of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The Company has pioneered the design of the caterpillar-like devices that float in the water and use the motion of the waves to generate electricity. The Company is hoping to have a site operational in the area of Great Benera within the next 4 years.