Mearns councillors will visit the site of a proposed wind turbine scheme that is earmarked for approval.
Turriff-firm Muirden Energy wants to instal two 262ft machines on land at Herscha Hill, at Auchenblae, which is supported by Aberdeenshire Council’s planning officers.
But local councillors raised concerns about how close the turbines would be to ancient monuments at Droop Hill, the Cairn O’ Mount cairns and the Fordoun moated enclosure.
At yesterday’s meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee in Stonehaven, councillor Dave Stewart said: “There are several ancient monuments that are 300metres (984ft) away and this is recommended for approval.
“Yet last year we refused a similar application at St Cyrus because it was in close proximity to an ancient monument which was 800metres (2624 ft) away.
“I cannot understand how we come to that submission. None of it makes sense to me.”
Gregor Spence, of the authority’s planning department, said that no objections had been received from statutory consultee Historic Scotland who confirmed that the nearby monuments would not be affected by the proposed wind turbines.
Members of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee have decided to defer a decision on the planning application until they have visited the proposed location later this month.