Two 260ft Aberdeenshire turbines could be blocked due to neighbouring ancient monuments – one dating back to Roman times and the other to the Bronze Age.
A string of objections have been lodged against Muirden Energy’s plans for Hassiewells, near Rothienorman, with council planners also recommending they be refused.
Director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer has said the proposals cannot be backed due to the potential impact the masts could have on Logie Newton kerb cairns and the Ythan Wells Roman camps.
Historic Environment Scotland does not object to the turbines, however it has concerns around their “setting” and asked for one to be relocated to address impacts on the historic areas.
The Ythan Wells site is believed to date back to the 1st century and was the homes of two temporary Roman marching camps – some of the most northern of their kind.
The proposals, which will go before the Formartine area committee on Tuesday, have been objected to by 30 locals and supported by another 20.
Concerns include the knock-on effect on the character of the rural locale, noise implications and on the local ecology and historic assets.
The council’s environmental health department has also objected to the plans – citing fears around the noise the turbines could cause.
In a report to the committee, Mr Archer adds: “There is a level of concern, highlighted by representation, regarding landscape and visual impact, residential amenity, ecology and historic asset issues. It should be highlighted that there is also a level of support for this development.
“While the proposal is found to be acceptable on many levels, after careful consideration and employing the precautionary principle, this service is not assured that the setting of two scheduled monuments would not be adversely affected by the development process.
“The proposal fails to comply with guidelines regarding cumulative noise impact.”
In the area proposed, a further 20 of the renewable energy providers have been approved, five have been refused and one is still pending.
A Muirden Energy spokesman was not able to comment.
