By Alan Richardson

PEOPLE-POWER yesterday forced another dramatic twist in the long-running Drumderg wind farm saga.

Applicants Scottish and Southern Energy claimed they were “bewildered” by the turn of events which saw their 16-turbine application rejected outright and have vowed to appeal to the Scottish Executive.

In an almost surreal turnaround, Perth and Kinross councillors on the development control committee again rejected their planning department’s recommendations in making their decision.

In August, they said they were “minded to approve” the plan for the moorland near Alyth, despite head of development control Ian Sleith pointing out it was contrary to their own guidelines.

Further assurances were sought from Scottish Natural Heritage and SSE and, with these in place, Mr Sleith said the application now meets the committee’s criteria.

However, eight of the ten committee councillors yesterday rejected this and turned down the application on the basis the local water supply could be affected by construction work.

Only local member Ian Miller and Perth councillor Willie Wilson backed SSE, maintaining the council had to accept the proposal—albeit with three of the most controversial turbines removed—to retain control over it. Otherwise, he said, SSE would win any appeal and the decidedly pro-wind-farm Executive would place whichever scheme they want on the land.

SSE’s Dr Brian Smith said after the City Hall meeting, “We will almost certainly appeal.”

Dr Smith added, “Councillor Miller pointed out he feels concerned over whether the council can defend the position they have got themselves into.

“Our feeling is of total bewilderment at the process which has been gone through. Despite specifically addressing items raised at the last meeting when the committee were minded to approve, they have decided to refuse it on some other basis.”

That basis was the possible effects on the local watercourse, with SSE required to remove water from a notoriously temperamental supply to aid construction of the 107 metre-high turbines.

The British Geological Survey said there was a “low risk” of an adverse effect and this was backed by other reports. Mr Sleith added no such application could give a cast-iron guarantee of leaving the water supply unaltered. It wasn’t enough for the committee.

The effect on the water supply was a constant theme for the unprecedented 14 deputations heard by the meeting, all against the application.

Also ranging from the effect on house prices to a denial CO2 emissions are causing global warning via the loss of mobile phone signals and a lack of wind on the site, dozens of reasons for refusal were put forward. Noise, the effect on wildlife, the loss of spectacular views and a drop-off in tourist numbers were all mentioned.

In total, the council received 674 representations against the plan and only 21 supporting it.

SSE have six months to appeal the decision and it is likely a full public local inquiry will result—a massively costly exercise for the losing side.

Protestor Sylvia Thorne said, “We are obviously delighted by the decision and are glad the council have listened to us. But we know the fight goes on.”

Local MSP Murdo Fraser, who also spoke against the proposal added, “I would hope that Scottish and Southern Energy will respect the vote of the democratically accountable council committee and not appeal the refusal to the Scottish Executive.”