East Strathearn CC to consider windfarm proposal, 23 Sept 2011
Plans revealed for Abercairny windfarm Sep 23 2011
by Katy Gordon, Strathearn Herald
PLANS to build a windfarm north east of Crieff have been revealed this week.
Force 9 Energy, in conjunction with Abercairny Estate, announced that it has been drawing up proposals for a nine-turbine farm at Mull Hill.
And a planning application for a meteorological mast has already been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.
David Butterworth, Managing Director of Force 9 Energy explained: “The Mull Hill windfarm represents an investment of approximately £22.5 million.
“It will bring economic benefits to the region, including employment opportunities. A community fund will also be set up, which based on the current proposal, could put more than £1.1m back into the community over the 25-year lifetime of the project.
“Alongside the economic benefits that the project would bring to the region, the proposal would also help the Scottish Government to meet its renewable obligations to cut its dependence on fossil fuels, saving approximately 25,425 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, compared with conventional fossil fuel sources.”
Bill Moray, owner of the estate, said: “Abercairny is a working estate and the proposal is part of a comprehensive range of measures by the estate that would help fund other environmental and conservation projects, including work to revitalise habitat for wild game and other wildlife, and refurbishments to buildings on the estate to help promote local tourism.”
Back in 2005, a public inquiry was held into building a larger windfarm on the estate. However that was turned down the following year, with the inquiry reporter at the time stating it would have had “significant adverse impacts on the local environment which could not otherwise be addressed”.
These included the adverse impacts on the visual landscapes and concerns about ospreys.
The developers have stated that the new plans for a smaller facility would mean that it wouldn’t be seen from the north or from the Sma’ Glen.
They claim it would also be screened by hills in the foreground and background in most views and the turbines would be confined to one area.
Chair of East Strathearn Community Council, Maureen Beaumont, told the Herald that the community council were due to discuss the matter at last night’s (Wednesday’s) monthly meeting.
Further information on the project is available at www.mullhillwindfarm.com.
by Katy Gordon, Strathearn Herald
PLANS to build a windfarm north east of Crieff have been revealed this week.
Force 9 Energy, in conjunction with Abercairny Estate, announced that it has been drawing up proposals for a nine-turbine farm at Mull Hill.
And a planning application for a meteorological mast has already been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.
David Butterworth, Managing Director of Force 9 Energy explained: “The Mull Hill windfarm represents an investment of approximately £22.5 million.
“It will bring economic benefits to the region, including employment opportunities. A community fund will also be set up, which based on the current proposal, could put more than £1.1m back into the community over the 25-year lifetime of the project.
“Alongside the economic benefits that the project would bring to the region, the proposal would also help the Scottish Government to meet its renewable obligations to cut its dependence on fossil fuels, saving approximately 25,425 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, compared with conventional fossil fuel sources.”
Bill Moray, owner of the estate, said: “Abercairny is a working estate and the proposal is part of a comprehensive range of measures by the estate that would help fund other environmental and conservation projects, including work to revitalise habitat for wild game and other wildlife, and refurbishments to buildings on the estate to help promote local tourism.”
Back in 2005, a public inquiry was held into building a larger windfarm on the estate. However that was turned down the following year, with the inquiry reporter at the time stating it would have had “significant adverse impacts on the local environment which could not otherwise be addressed”.
These included the adverse impacts on the visual landscapes and concerns about ospreys.
The developers have stated that the new plans for a smaller facility would mean that it wouldn’t be seen from the north or from the Sma’ Glen.
They claim it would also be screened by hills in the foreground and background in most views and the turbines would be confined to one area.
Chair of East Strathearn Community Council, Maureen Beaumont, told the Herald that the community council were due to discuss the matter at last night’s (Wednesday’s) monthly meeting.
Further information on the project is available at www.mullhillwindfarm.com.