More than 1,100 people have signed a petition calling on plans to build the UK’s tallest wind farm on Royal Deeside to be withdrawn amid growing anger in the community.
The Hill of Fare Windfarm Information Group has launched a petition calling on Dunecht Estates to withdraw its application for 16 massive turbines, measuring up to 656ft and twice the height of Big Ben, to be erected in the countryside at Hill of Fare near Banchory.
The petition states Dunecht Estates stands to make earnings of between £1 million and £2.5 million per year on the proposed wind farm. It goes on to say the developer, RES, stands to generate as much as £25 million per year, while offering a possible annual community benefit of just £528,000.
It sights huge local opposition to the plans, damage to the beauty of Royal Deeside and the cost of a local inquiry as other reasons for why the development shouldn’t go ahead.
In October, Aberdeenshire Council objected to the proposals amid concerns over the region’s red kite population and the impact on historic areas nearby such as Sunhoney and Christchurch stone circles.
Other organisations such as Aberdeen International Airport have also raised objections to the plans due to the “impacts upon radar”, while community leaders have described the development as “something from a sci-fi horror movie”.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, who has been an avid campaigner against the Hill of Fare development, said: “This petition highlights the strength of anger and concern towards this application, which if approved, would fire the starting gun on the industrialisation of Royal Deeside.
“In little over two weeks, more than 1,100 people have signed the petition, underlining the huge threat that this development poses to the community.
“Having met with communities now dominated by wind farms, I’ve heard first-hand how their lives have been impacted on an industrial scale and I’m hugely concerned that this development will have a similar impact on nearby residents.
“I strongly urge residents to back this petition to send a strong message that these proposals are not welcome in Royal Deeside.”
