There are claims that businesses in Grantown could be left counting the
cost if they do not object to ‘monstrous’ plans for 20 wind turbines which
have just been lodged for a site to the north of the town.
Leading British renewable energy developer, RES, has just submitted the
application for the Cairn Duhie Wind Farm on the Dava Moor, eight miles
from the Strathspey capital.
Campaigners against the development claim that if the wind farm goes ahead,
along with others planned or being built by various energy companies, there
could be more than 300 turbines within a 40-mile radius.
Mr Roy Hewett, of the Save Our Dava campaign group, said: “Our concern is
that the prosperity of Grantown’s tourism industry will be hit if no-one
speaks up for the town.
“A Scottish Government Reporter stated that if there is an adverse visual
impact on the landscape as a result of development, it will affect tourism.
“Remember, just two and a half miles north of Grantown, these 20 turbines
will be in your face. It is important that the tourism operators in
Grantown have their say before it it too late.”
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) recently held their own series of meetings
in Edinkillie Hall, Dunphail, Glenferness Village Hall, Ferness and Nairn
Community and Arts Centre on the turbines proposed between the V of the
A939 Nairn road and the A940 Forres road.
They failed to run one in Grantown, saying they would have been happy to do
so, but the town’s community council did not think it was necessary.
Fiona Stevens, RES project manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone
who has taken part in the consultation process and provided RES with their
comments on our proposal.
“RES has completed extensive environmental surveys at the sitem and we are
confident that it is an ideal location for a wind farm.
“We have sensitively designed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm to minimise local
impacts while maximising renewable energy generation.”
If granted planning permission, the development will be capable of
generating enough renewable electricity to meet the average annual
requirements of between 31,000 and 32,000 homes.
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