A pensioner who spearheaded the campaign against a key part of the Aberdeen bay windfarm last night welcomed future investment at Menie.
Edna Booth said she was reassured by Donald Trump’s commitment to the site, as it indicated he believed he could win his ongoing legal battle to block the turbines scheme.
Mrs Booth, who has played a major role in the fight against plans to build a substation for the windfarm at Blackdog, said the news gave her “hope” the community could also win.
The 81-year-old said: “This certainly gives us hope, we’re delighted Mr Trump is moving forward with his plans.
“One cannot work without the other. They can build the turbines, but if the substation isn’t there they can’t be connected to the National Grid, so it’s no use.”
Almost all the residents of Blackdog rallied together to oppose plans for the substation.
They cited concerns about heavy traffic, loss of amenities and noise disturbance, but their biggest worry was the amount of asbestos in the former landfill site earmarked for the development.
Councillors rejected the plans for the substation but developer Vattenfall won an appeal, which the campaigners are now challenging through the courts.
Their case will next call at the Court of Session in May.
The local campaigners have previously been assisted by Mr Trump’s counsel John Campbell QC, who has been keeping them up-to-date with the latest legal wrangles
.
“Our next court hearing is May 14 and 15, and that’s when it will be decided if Vattenfall has won their case for the substation,” Mrs Booth said.
“We hope it’s in our favour, because we’re really very worried about what will happen if it gets the go-ahead. We know there’s a lot of asbestos in the landfill.
“It’s a Pandora’s box and is very worrying.
“The substation would also take 14 months to construct, with 6,000 vehicles running up and down the road.
“All round it’s just not right for the village. The health of the community is our biggest worry.
“We just live in hope, and are assured by Mr Trump lodging these plans.”