Over 1,100 locals have signed a petition against a proposed wind farm in Aberdeenshire, fearing it will ruin the countryside’s beauty
The plan is to put up 16 massive turbines at Hill of Fare, reaching up to 656 feet high. The Hill of Fare Wind Farm Information Group started the petition, asking Dunecht Estates to pull the plug on their application near Banchory.
There’s been some drama about how much cash the developers will give back to the community. Apparently, Dunecht Estates could rake in between £1 million and £2.5 million a year, while the developers, RES, might pocket up to £25 million annually. But they’re only offering a community benefit of about £528,000, which doesn’t sit well with locals.
Aberdeenshire Council is also against the plans, and the Scottish Government will have the final say after a public inquiry. But there’s a good chance they’ll approve it since they’re keen on boosting renewable energy.
People are worried about how the turbines will affect the stunning scenery of Royal Deeside, especially with plans for a new ‘mega-pylon’ route cutting through the area. The council is concerned about local wildlife, like the red kite population, and the impact on historic sites nearby.
Even Aberdeen International Airport has raised concerns about radar issues. Community leaders have gone as far as to say the development looks like something out of a sci-fi horror movie.
Scottish Tory MSP Alexander Burnett, who represents Aberdeenshire West, is rallying against the project. He’s urging locals to back the petition, saying it shows just how upset people are about the potential industrialization of Royal Deeside.
On the flip side, RES’s project manager, Gavin Shirley, argues that the project has been thoughtfully designed and is in an area the council has marked for wind farm development. He claims it would bring economic benefits to Aberdeenshire and that they’ve consulted extensively with the community to minimize impacts.
