Windfarm could generate £1.6m

A windfarm planned for a hillside near Huntly could bring £1.6million into the local community over its 25-year lifetime.

Wales-based firm West Coast Energy held a public exhibition in the town’s Stewart’s Hall on its proposed nine-turbine development at Cairn-borrow and said the response from the 50 people who attended had been very positive. The company’s senior planning and development manager, Samantha Crosby, said yesterday: “It is important that everyone who may potentially be affected by the proposed windfarm should have an opportunity to find out the facts and understand the project, in particular the significant benefits it could bring to the local community.”

She said the company would like to hear from anyone who was unable to attend the open display and discussion at Huntly.

West Coast Energy has confirmed that if the turbines were given planning permission on the site north of Huntly, between Cairnie and Drummuir, a community benefit fund of £3,000 per megawatt of electricity generated would be provided. That could equate to £67,500 a year. Local community councils as well as Aberdeenshire Council would be consulted over the setting up of the fund, and it would be up to local people to decide how the cash was used.

“Once a formal planning application is submitted to the local authority, people will also have an opportunity to make their comments to the project to planners.”

The earliest any planning application is expected to be put to Aberdeenshire Council is at the start of next year. People can get information on the proposals by contacting West Coast Energy on 01352 757604 or online at www.westcoastenergy.co.uk

The 360ft turbines would generate around 22.5MW of electricity, which is calculated as enough to provide power to nearly 13,000 homes.

Last week, Marr area councillors meeting at Huntly deferred a decision on a proposed 18-turbine windfarm between Huntly and Rhynie.

Swedish energy firm Vattenfall wants permission to build the 360ft turbines at Clashindarroch Forest.

Councillors deferred a decision for further information about the possible removal of three of the masts from the ridge of a hill.