By Paul Reoch

A FORMER Conservative MP for Perthshire will present what he believes to be vital evidence at a public inquiry concerning a controversial wind farm.

Following a decision by Perth and Kinross Council to refuse an application by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to build a 16- turbine wind farm at Drumderg, between Alyth and Bridge of Cally, the energy company lodged an appeal to the Scottish Executive.

The Executive has since confirmed that a public inquiry will proceed at an unscheduled date and Bill Walker—who represented Perth and East Perthshire—last night told The Courier that he intends to lay out a forthright case against the SSE proposals at the hearing.

He said, “The community must be protected from inappropriate developments in inappropriate locations. My objective will be to show that this proposed development was correctly rejected by Perth and Kinross Council as per Scottish Executive guidelines.

“I shall present photographs which will show that the proposed route for construction traffic runs past two roadside primary schools (Newtyle and Meigle), and then through Alyth, the Den of Alyth and via a single-track road with passing places.

“It isn’t safe and could result in material damage and risk to children.”

Mr Walker previously voiced his objections at two public meetings and was one of the 674 people who lodged written objections to the Drumderg plan with Perth and Kinross Council.

He continued, “The massive vehicles required to transport the turbine blades will create safety problems at schools, and in the narrow streets through Alyth. This coupled with the risk to trees in the Den of Alyth and the possible damage to property foundations and the Victorian sewer is one reason why the local community asked me to speak.

“Another reason was the material damage to the tourist industry—the major source of employment in Bridge of Cally, Blairgowrie, Glenshee, Strathardle and Alyth.”

SSE has stressed that they will present a robust case of the issues on hydrology, but Mr Walker highlighted the lack of this on past occasions and also the threat to wildlife in Drumderg.

He added, “These problems are compounded by the lack of a scientific report following an in-depth study on land suitability. I would expect such a report to be essential—failure to produce one could invite an inspection and report to the European Commission.

“In addition, there is a material risk to birds such as black grouse and red kites. These can’t be ignored and nor can the risk to dwellings less than 1.2 miles from the turbines.

“An application to build a wind farm in the Prime Minister’s constituency was rejected because there were dwellings less than 1.2 miles from the proposed turbines. I believe this was quoted as being a European directive.

“And the absence of a report into the archaeological site antiquities must give grounds for concern.”

An SSE spokesman said, “We’re more than happy to go down the route of a public inquiry and will enter into the hearing in a constructive and optimistic frame of mind.”

The public inquiry has the backing of Conservative Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, who wants a concerted policy on wind farms from the Scottish Executive.

He said, “The amount of money, effort and time spent by everyone involved with wind farms is ridiculous and the Scottish Executive must act.”

The date for the public inquiry has not been set yet as the Scottish Executive have still to have hold a pre-inquiry meeting.