A Crimond farming company is hoping to overturn a council decision which means its turbines come under scrutiny every two years.
Overside and Greenwellheads Farm won planning permission for four 326ft turbines near the village in 2012, on the condition the machines would be monitored every 24 months for noise emissions to ensure locals were not being disturbed.
The reviews are carried out by Aberdeenshire Council. But the firm believes the time between inspections is too short at the moment, and has asked the authority to extend it to five years.
Ian Boyd, a consultant for SAC Consulting, which is representing the farm, has written to the council’s planning department requesting the change.
He said: “Since the commissioning of the turbines, noise monitoring has taken place in compliance with these conditions and, to date, there have been no complaints regarding noise impact from the development.”
A longer period between checks would mean the turbines are out of service for less time, ensuring the farm could cover the costs of having them switched off for reviews.
Mr Boyd added: “This revised time frame which we are proposing allows for the onerous cost of the noise monitoring process to be spread over a longer period and reduces unnecessary downtime [of the turbines].
“We do not believe the current monitoring period is necessary unless there is a material change to the turbines or surrounding location, and request the monitoring period is extended to a five-year cycle.”
The windfarm at Crimond was approved at Buchan area committee by just one vote.
Five councillors, including current members Stuart Pratt, Norman Smith, Anne Allan and Alan Buchan called for it to be refused, but they were defeated by colleagues.