Plans to upgrade a wind turbine in rural Kinross-shire could be approved next week in the face of neighbours’ objections.
Planning permission for the single, double-bladed mast near Glenfarg was approved by councillors on Christmas Eve last year.
Now developers have applied to install a more powerful, three-blade turbine instead. If approved, it will be about 10ft taller than the original 610ft mast but the overall height will remain unchanged because the tower will be embedded deeper in the ground.
Scottish Water, which is behind the plan, hopes to use energy from the 500kW turbine to power the nearby Glenfarg Reservoir and wastewater treatment works.
Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee will next week be asked to wave through the proposal, earmarked for land north-west of East Blair Farm.
However, the plan has come up against opposition from local residents.
Council planners have received nine emails and letters calling for the project to be scrapped.
Objectors argue that the turbine will be excessively tall, could cause problems with noise and will have a negative visual impact.
In a report to go before councillors, development quality manager Nick Brian said that the planned mast complied with policy.
He added: “In this case…there would be measurable contribution to renewable energy generation and associated savings in carbon emissions.