Tim Eagle has raised concerns about the visual impact of the proposed Moray Flow Park after new images emerged showing dozens of wind turbine bases measuring larger than the Kelpies.
The Stop the Moray Firth Flow Park group has published impressions of what the potential view could look like from the shoreline in Findhorn if plans are approved by the Scottish Government.
It comes as hundreds of people are expected to attend the Big Splash Pipe Procession on Saturday, April 18, in protest over controversial proposals to use the seabed for temporary anchorage units made from concrete or metal.
A piper, followed by residents, will march from Findhorn pier into the sea, to highlight the importance of the coastline to communities. The event will then be followed at night by the Big Bash Tidal Wave Ceilidh to raise funds for the campaign.
The new images, published by the group, show the size of the development towering at 40 metres high, 10m taller than the Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk.
They also indicate that the closest base to the Findhorn Beach Huts will be 2.7km away, while the furthest will be 6.42kw away.
Sheep farmer and campaigner Tim Eagle, who is standing for the Scottish Conservatives in Moray at the Holyrood election, said: “These images emphasise how out of scale, out of character, and damaging to the local area these Moray Flow Park plans really are.
“I want to thank the hard work of the campaign groups for taking the time to produce them.
“As I’ve said all along, industrialisation of this magnitude could threaten our vibrant tourist offering, harm our wonderful marine life, damage our fishermen’s livelihoods, and hurt this area of conservation.
“To be staring at these gigantic wind turbine bases, some of which are higher than the kelpies, from a very popular spot like the Findhorn beach huts, will be horrifying for locals.
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“These developments pose a very serious risk to the fishing industry’s future, as well as harming our beautiful landscape that the Moray Firth is so highly renowned for, which is why these plans must be stopped in its entirety.”
On the upcoming Big Splash Pipe Procession and Big Bash Tidal Wave Ceilidh, Mr Eagle added: “I praise the work and dedication of the Stop the Moray Firth Flow Park group who have been instrumental in bringing communities together with events like these.
“That is why I encourage communities to make a splash and make their voices heard to show to everyone, including Offshore Solutions Group and the Scottish Government, that this issue will never go away, nor will it be forgotten about. It is vital we keep the pressure on.”
