Written by David Walker
Campaigners fear the Moray landscape will be ravaged if plans for a new
29-turbine wind farm go ahead.
Energy giant Fred Olsen Renewables is behind the green energy proposal in
Scotland’s whisky tourism heartland.
It’s Rothes III plan – with boasting towers of between 488 and 738 feet
from ground to blade tip – would stand alongside the existing Rothes I and
II sites and bring the development ever closer to Rothes itself.
The plans have angered local wind farm campaigners, who say the Moray
landscape is already saturated by turbines.
Statistics show Moray is 0.9% of the UK land area but may soon host 10.9%
of all UK turbines.
Opponents say Rothes III will only “add to the deterioration” of the
landscape, claiming the upper Lossie valley is caught in a “feeding-frenzy”.
They want the Scottish Government to block it.
George Heraghty, is a member of Save Wild Moray, which was set up by locals
to stop projects spoiling the scenery and harming its wildlife.
He said: “The turbines are creeping ever more closer towards Rothes itself
and these will be to the east of the ones already extremely visible from
the Elgin area.
“It is being presented as an extension of the existing Rothes I and II
developments (of 40 turbines) but this will scar Speyside beyond belief.
“It will be visible from many corners of Moray and will dominate views from
Ben Rinnes, the most important landmark hill in all of Moray.”
The proposals are one of several plans submitted to the Scottish Government
for turbines in the area.
The objection period closed earlier this month for Clashgour wind farm,
which could see 47 turbines of up to 575ft built about seven miles south of
Forres.
Final plans have also been submitted for the Pauls Hill II wind farm near
Knockando, which would have seven 500ft turbines.
Fellow Save Wild Moray member, Mark Holdsworth, added: “We are appalled by
this.
“It seems to be a feeding frenzy in the upper Lossie valley with four live
developments 100 yards from each other.
“If they all go ahead, it is the absolute end for a beautiful area.”
The Scottish Government has said renewable energy projects create jobs,
boost the economy and help meet climate change targets.
A spokesman said: “All wind farm planning applications must meet strict
planning criteria.
“We are committed to delivering a planning system that works for everyone,
ensuring local communities have a say.”
Another spokesman added: “The Scottish Government’s Energy Consent Unit
currently has three wind farm applications under consideration in the Moray
Council planning authority area, Rothes III Extension, Clash Gour and
Paul’s Hill II.
“Decisions will be taken in due course once the required consultation
periods, and any resultant public local inquiries, have concluded.”
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