ALEXANDER Burnett MSP has written to the National Trust for Scotland asking whether the organisation will submit any concerns over plans to build one of the UK’s tallest onshore wind farms on Royal Deeside after a survey found 75% of residents were against the proposals.
The Aberdeenshire West MSP hopes community concerns about the proposed Hill of Fare development will be discussed after a question was tabled on the issue for the trust’s AGM which takes place at P&J Live in Aberdeen today (22 Sept).
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RES is expected to lodge the full plans in the coming weeks to construct 16 turbines measuring up to 646ft across Aberdeenshire.
It comes after Mr Burnett received the results of a questionnaire conducted by community councils surrounding the hill which included Banchory, Crathes, Drumoak and Durris; Echt and Skene; Cluny, Midmar and Monymusk; Torphins and Inchmarlo, Brathens and Glassel.
The survey, which gathered 863 responses, found only 11% were in favour and 75% were against the plans which the developer previously said could be seen from 20 miles away in all directions, from Moray to Angus.
In a letter to journalist and broadcaster Jackie Bird, who is the president of the National Trust for Scotland, Mr Burnett voiced concerns that the turbines would be built on the site of the Battle Corrichie and would impact the future of the River Dee Valley.
His letter said: “Amongst the most pressing concerns from the communities is the vast visual impact these turbines will have on the area, the impact on the local water supplies, noise, the impact on wildlife and the risk that an approval would set a precedent for turbines to be built right down the River Dee Valley.
“Of particular concern to your organisation may be that the turbines will be built on the site of the Battle Corrichie and the visual impact this proposal will have on the Aberdeenshire landscape and tourist attractions in Aberdeenshire.
“These turbines will be seen from the Cairngorms National Park. They will also be visible from both the Deeside and Lochnagar National Scenic Areas as well as from over 160 scheduled monuments and Grade A listed buildings, including National Trust for Scotland sites and dozens of designated Nature Scot sites, all of which are listed below.
“Given the substantial impact that these turbines will have across Aberdeenshire, I would be grateful if you could confirm whether National Trust For Scotland will be making a submission to the Energy Consents Unit when the formal application is submitted by RES.”
Questionnaire results
| Community Council Area | Object | Undecided | Neutral | In favour |
| Banchory | 77% | 6% | 6% | 11% |
| Cluny Midmar Monymusk | 78% | 9% | 2% | 10% |
| Crathes Drumoak Durris | 81% | 11% | 8% | 0% |
| Echt & Skene | 76% | 0% | 18% | 6% |
| Inchmarlo Brathens Glassel | 67% | 7% | 7% | 20% |
| Torphins | 75% | 7% | 5% | 12% |
| Other | 68% | 7% | 5% | 20% |
| All | 75% | 7% | 7% | 11% |
