CONSERVATIONIST Professor David Bellamy has backed campaigners in their bid to resist plans for a wind farm—a “silver satanic mill”—in a Perthshire beauty spot.

Entec and Force 9 Energy are developing plans for a 27-turbine wind farm development in the Sma Glen.

There has been much concern over plans for the Abercairney wind farm, with the Sma Glen Protection Group set up to provide organised opposition.

The group has been delighted by the support received from the distinguished scientist and conservation campaigner.

In a strongly worded message to the group, Professor Bellamy said, “The Sma Glen is one of many sites of tranquil beauty across Britain that does not deserve to be despoiled by a host of silver satanic mills.

“The time has surely come when the whole nation should learn the true facts about so called wind farms.

“They are not farms but very high rise industrial sites that come complete with gigantic reinforced concrete bases and roads set on ridges where everyone can see them whether they want to or not.”

The Sma Glen Protection Group has said that it is in favour of renewable energy.

However, it believes there are many other sites of much greater suitability that should be given consideration long before what it describes as a place of iconic beauty, a main arterial route and tourist trail right into the heart of rural Perthshire, is industrialised.

Professor Bellamy said the wind farms negatively impacted upon “landscape value, catchment management, birds and bat populations, equestrian activities, property values and tourist trade and public health through low intensity noise and strobing.”

However, he also questions the value of wind farm developments.

“The derisory amount of energy they produce and carbon dioxide they save can do little or nothing to cool the global greenhouse nor provide the grid with a sustainable supply of electricity.

“It cannot even be termed alternative because its production is so intermittent that none of our mainstream power plants, fossil or nuclear will be closed down in the wake of wind.”

The opposition to the wind farm is notable in that it has the support of every community council in the area. A recent petition also received widespread public support.

Copies of the proposals are available from Perth and Kinross Council planning offices, Crieff Library, the AK Bell Library and the Foulford Inn.