Written by Mark Lammey
Concerns have been raised over the detrimental impact increasing numbers of
wind farms could have on the Moray landscape.
Two applications are being considered by the Scottish Government to extend
the Berry Burn wind farm development south of Forres as well as an
expansion at the Paul’s Hill site in Speyside.
The wind farm at Berry Burn is already one of the biggest in the region,
with 29 operational turbines which are about 325ft tall.
There could be 10 more taller turbines built if the plans are approved.
Moray Council also rejected proposals for turbines at Dorenell, near the
Cabrach, but the plans were later approved at Holyrood and construction is
now under way.
Claire Feaver, former chairwoman of the council’s planning committee, said:
“The size of the turbines being proposed are monumental. They are much
bigger than anything we have seen before.
“Not only that but what we are seeing are applications to retrofit the new
larger turbines on to existing structures and then create new wind farms
near to existing ones.
“The result will be that great swathes of the horizon will be completely
dominated by these huge developments.”
Mrs Feaver said a large part of Moray had already lost its designation as
Special Landscape Areas (SLAs).
She said: “Renewable energy has a part to play in the energy mix but it has
to be in the right places and Moray has already taken its fair share.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross said locals and business owners had raised concerns
with him about the number of wind farm applications being put forward in
recent years.
He said: “Tourist businesses, on which many parts of Moray are economically
dependent, are feeling threatened and ignored.”
An EDF spokeswoman said: “The Dorenell wind farm will bring opportunities,
growth and employment in the local area and we will spend around £40
million pounds with the Scottish supply chain alone in building it.”
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