The developer of the proposed Hill of Fare wind farm, near Banchory, has changed its plans for towering turbines following a public consultation.
RES has revised the height and placement of up to 17 turbines, the highest of which would stand at some 820ft.
Under previous plans from RES these would have been “theoretically visible” with viewpoints from 20 miles away in all directions, from Moray to Angus.
The revised outlook for the onshore wind farm reduces the height of the turbines, with a mix of 590ft and 656ft structures.
Fewer turbines too
RES also plans to reduce the number of turbines from 17 to 16 after receiving 380 comments in a four-week public consultation last year.
The developer told Energy Voice, sister publication to The Press and Journal, the revised design includes 11 turbines of 590ft and 5 turbines of 656ft.
A final run of local public exhibitions will be held by RES this summer to present the updated designs and give locals another opportunity to speak to the team and comment on the proposal before the final scheme is submitted to planners.
‘Spooked by the size’
Previously, locals and the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Andrew Bowie, have struck out against the renewables project being developed in partnership with Dunecht Estates.
On the revamped design, the MP said: “I’ve heard about the proposed development from many residents.
“Most supported the aims behind renewables, but were frankly spooked by the size and scope of this wind farm.
It’s good that RES has shown there is room for manoeuvre.”
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie
“There is also a concern about cumulative impact as more applications go in around Hill of Fare.
“So it’s good that RES has shown there is room for manoeuvre.
“But this application will, undoubtedly, rise or fall on the back of local opinion.
“Further consultation events over the summer will tell RES whether the informal changes proposed will be enough to earn local backing.”
‘Lots of great feedback’
The firm behind the proposed wind farm said it received “lots of great feedback” from the consultation process last year and that was helping inform the future of the project.
RES project manager Gavin Shirley added: “The largest area of interest was the community benefits the project could deliver to the local area, followed by landscape and visual considerations.”
‘Simply too big’
The original plans for Hill of Fare caused a stir when news of the project hit the headlines, with many people voicing concerns over the proposal.
Mr Bowie was among those opposing the original plans, saying the proposed 820ft turbines were “simply too big.”
Locals such as Frank Murray, of Midmar, also expressed concerns.
Having lived in his home for 40 years, Mr Murray said he had enjoyed the “peace and tranquillity of the surrounding countryside” but was worried this would be ruined if the original plans came to fruition.
Details on the visibility of the turbines at their revised height will be confirmed in the next public consultation.
Conversation