By Dave Lord

OPPONENTS OF plans to build a massive wind farm in highland Perthshire have urged locals to swamp both the developers and Perth and Kinross Council with expressions of concern.

A public exhibition organised by Green Power will open at the Birnam Institute today, outlining their proposal to erect a facility comprising up to 82 turbines close to Birnam Hill.

The developers insist the local community would be given a stake in the project—and could reap substantial cash rewards.

However, that has failed to sway members of pressure group ASWAG (Amulree and Strathbraan Wind Farm Action Group) who claim the farm would be “the size of Perth.”

They last night slammed the proposal, branding it insensitive.

“The stunning and much-loved view from Birnam Hill would be ruined if the latest wind farm proposal for Perthshire is given the go ahead,” said an ASWAG spokeswoman.

“Developer Green Power have submitted plans for the wind farm—about the size of Perth—with turbines up to 124 metres tall, twice the height of the Scott Monument.

“Griffin wind farm would lie in the heart of the breathtaking scenery of highland Perthshire which has been recognised by the designation of three national scenic areas,” she continued.

“Lying within the Dunkeld national scenic area, Birnam Hill is a popular summit for both local people and visitors to the Dunkeld area.

“The vista north to Schiehallion is magnificent. However, the proposed Griffin wind farm would be only just over four miles from Birnam Hill summit and would lie directly in front of this view of Schiehallion.”

ASWAG insists concern about the proposed development is widespread.

“On seeing a photomontage produced by the developer of how the view from Birnam Hill would change, Mike Dales of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland voiced his concern,” the spokeswoman said.

“He told us that this area is ‘no place for such a wind factory’.”

ASWAG claimed the John Muir Trust—which recently carried out a community purchase of Schiehallion—is also opposed to the development.

Female members of ASWAG enjoyed substantial publicity when they stripped off on the hills of highland Perthshire to highlight their opposition to the proposal.

“All the ladies are hopping mad and believe the views around Dunkeld are threatened by the Griffin wind farm,” the spokeswoman said.

“We would urge everyone who is equally concerned to let the Scottish Executive and Perth and Kinross Council know about it.”