An environmental charity has submitted an objection to a proposed 26-turbine wind farm in Aberdeenshire.
Developer Coriolis Energy wants to build the wind farm at Glendye, near Fettercairn, and has lodged plans with the Scottish Government.
The firm believes the spot would be ideal for generating environmentally-friendly electricity, but objectors have argued it will have a negative impact on the natural environment and goes against Aberdeenshire Council’s local development plan.
The Save Clachnaben – Stop the Glendye Windfarm group say some local residents fear the turbines could be too close to the popular walkers’ hill of Clachnaben.
And now the John Muir Trust, a charity which aims to conserve and protect wild places for the benefit of people and wildlife, has lodged its opposition to the plans.
In its objection, the trust states: “We consider that the impact of the 149.9-metre (491ft) high turbines and associated infrastructure is inappropriate to the landscape of the area, will have a detrimental visual impact on the Cairngorm National Park, will have a detrimental impact on the peat on site and may have a negative socio-economic impact on tourism.”
It goes on to stress it is “committed” to supporting efforts to reduce emissions, but adds: “However, the trust does not support the construction of industrial-scale wind energy developments on wild land or developments that would impact adversely on wild land.”