North-east councillors are poised to reject proposals for a 260ft wind turbine which threatens to overshadow a clutch of historically significant landmarks.
The plans for Culvie Hill near, Aberchirder, sparked a flurry of more than 100 public comments – for and against the project.
Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee deferred a decision on planning permission at a meeting in June.
However, members have now visited the site, and are expected to reject the plans this week.
Recommending the scheme for refusal, planning officer Hilary Wilkinson said: “In principle Aberdeenshire Council supports the installation of renewable energy facilities such as wind turbines.
“The impact on landscape, built and natural heritage and the amenity of those living in the surrounding area must be fully assessed though.”
The planning team has noted 33 listed buildings – including Category A Crombie Castle – within a three mile radius of the site.
There are also five scheduled monuments nearby, including a significant stone circle.
Recommending that councillors refuse the application on historical and archaeological grounds, the planning officer concluded: “The proposed turbine will contribute to a negative cumulative impact on the setting of the scheduled monument, the Thorax Stone Circle.
“There are not viewed to be any imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the development, and it is not felt there are no alternative sites for the development.”
Muirden Energy LLP, the agent representing the applicant, insists the family farm is a suitable site for a turbine.
The firm’s environmental statement says: “The farm aims to be more sustainable both now and for future generations through the utilisation of wind energy in the local area.
“By utilising agricultural land to provide a clean, secure, renewable energy source, the environmental performance of the business would be enhanced providing a beneficial impact on a variety of issues, including climate change, rural economies, reducing carbon footprints and the provision of an enhanced distribution of energy generation.”
Councillors will meet to consider the proposal tomorrow.