A contentious wind turbines project which has divided a north-east community could be kicked out by councillors next week.
Plans for three turbines at neighbouring plots in the Banffshire countryside have attracted a great deal of support, with more than 500 letters and e-mails received by Aberdeenshire Council calling for the schemes to be approved.
Supporters claim the masts at Cairnhill, Gawnsmoss and Gledsgreen will provide an economic boost to locals and help support and diversify applicant James Gammie’s farming business.
They also argue that the turbines would not have an negative impact on the area, nor would they adversely affect local historic sites including Duff House at Banff.
However, the three separate planning applications have also been widely criticised. Local authority planners have received more than 225 objections from residents who argued that there are already too many similar developments in the area.
They also believe the masts will have a detrimental impact on nearby homes and could lead to a downturn in tourism.
Concerns have also been raised about shadow flicker and potential noise problems.
Now planning officers have called for the development to be refused. They agree with many objectors that the towers would have a negative effect on the surrounding countryside.
A spokesman said: “There is a level of concern, highlighted by representation, regarding landscape and cumulative effect.
“It is considered that the proposal, in combination with other approved wind turbines in the local area, would have a high significance of cumulative adverse impact on the character of the local and wider landscape.”
Duff House owners Historic Scotland say the turbines could have an impact on the category A mansion, but a spokesman for the organisation said it was unlikely to “harm the appearance or understanding” of the property.
Within 16,700ft of the earmarked site there are more than 30 approved turbines and a further two pending.
On Tuesday, reports on the three proposed turbines will go before members of the Banff and Buchan area committee.