A north-east community will host a public meeting to discuss a raft of wind turbine applications in the area.
Residents in Gartly will explore how a capacity study, commissioned by Aberdeenshire Council, will impact how many proposed machines are granted permission.
Current applications for Gartly include a 242ft machine at Kemp’s Hill, three 261ft machines at Mains of Collithie and a single 261ft turbine at Bar Hill.
More turbines could be erected at Cairnmore, the Glens of Foudland windfarm and Shanquhar in the surrounding area.
The meeting will be chaired by Andrew Kings, a local resident, who wants to raise awareness of the report’s contents.
He said: “I would urge all local communities, landowners and developers to read The Strategic Landscape Capacity for Windfarms and understand the assessment for wind turbine capacity in their local area.
“They should be aware that the report, commissioned jointly by SNH and Aberdeenshire Council, is now a material consideration when planning officers and local councillors are considering planning applications for turbines in their area.
“Much of Aberdeenshire is assessed as either having no capacity for wind turbines or has already exceeded any underlying capacity and it is vitally important this is reflected in future planning decisions.
“For those living in or close to Gartly there will be a meeting to discuss the implications of the report and impact on turbine applications in this area.”
The report, which is available on Aberdeenshire Council’s website, was compiled by environmental consultants Ironside Farrar.
A council spokeswoman confirmed that the report had been given the status of planning advice and that it is being used as reference as well as being referred to in committee reports.
The public meeting will take place in the Tin Hut, Gartly, at 7pm on Monday, June 9.