People in Kinross-shire are being urged to oppose windfarm plans for up to
20 turbines that would dwarf the Forth Rail Bridge in size.
Two separate applications are due to be lodged with Fife Council this week
for 11 turbines on Forestry Commission land at Blairadam and up to 10 on an
adjoining site at Outh Muir.
At 380ft, the proposed turbines at Blairadam would be 50 feet taller than
the rail bridge, while the Outh Muir turbines would be 30 feet taller.
The conservation watchdog Kinross-shire Civic Trust has reacted with horror
and is calling an urgent meeting with local community councils, who they
say have not been informed of the plans because they are situated outwith Fife.
“There is no mechanism for notification across county borders,” said Civic
Trust chairman Alistair Smith.
“But both these wind power stations will be set at the top of the Cleish
Hills and will have enormous visual impact across the whole of
Kinross-shire which is gradually being surrounded by windfarms – but the
visual impact of Blairadam and Outh Muir will be far more critical than any
of them. It is vital that as many people as possible lodge their comments
and objections to Fife Council.”
The company behind the Blairadam venture, Edinburgh-based Partnership for
Renewables, has met with several west Fife community councils and have held
exhibitions in Kelty and Saline. It says the income from the windfarm would
help fund Forestry Commission Scotland projects and it is committed to
maximising community benefits.
Applicants for the Outh Muir site, REG Windpower, have also held public
exhibitions in west Fife with the promise that should the plans be
approved, a community benefit fund would be set up to help pay for local
environmental projects, youth projects, play equipment and floral displays.
The company estimates the turbines would generate an income of over £62,000
annually.
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