A giant wind turbine is to be erected above a north-east castle despite concerns about its impact on the historic site.
Inverurie-based energy firm Green Cat Renewables has had proposals for a single 275ft installation near Fyvie Castle accepted.
Turriff community council had raised concerns about the noise the turbine would make and of the cumulative effect of the “large number” of turbines in the area.
But councillors on the Formartine area committee yesterday backed a report that said it would not have a visual impact on the landscape and would operate within acceptable noise levels.
Turriff and district councillor Iain Taylor said: “I was on the site visit and it is rolling countryside.
“There are six turbines there already and this will be the seventh. While I appreciate there will be an impact, just one additional turbine means that impact will be fairly small.”
Alistair Forsyth said he had “some experience with the construction of these wind turbine projects” and was “content” with the recommendations of planning officials.
Councillor Anne Stirling expressed concern the views of the local community had not been taken into account by planning officials but the committee nonetheless agreed to grant planning permission.