By Chris Hardy and Philip Murray

A PUBLIC inquiry into an app-lication by Novera Energy to erect three wind turbines at Mountboy, Rossie, near Montrose, concluded its opening phase yesterday.

The inquiry is conjoined with a similar inquiry into an application by Montreathmont Wind Ltd, seeking to build 11 wind turbines at Montreathmont Moor, Friockheim, that will begin on January 6.

On February 3 a further session will focus on the cumulative effect of the applications.

Both inquiries have been prompted by the applicants’ appeals on the basis of non-determination by Angus Council.

Yesterday the inquiry wastold that three “daunting” turbines on Rossie Moor would drive visitors from the area.

Residents, walkers and local groups made the claim during the hearing into the site’s recreational use by a number of people who regularly walk, cycle and ride horses on the moor. They hit out at the wind farm’s potential to destroy the tranquillity of the area.

Several said they had walked past wind farms while on holiday on the Mediterranean and that the turbines there undermined the feeling of calm normally associated with a stroll in the countryside.

They claimed a similar fate could befall Rossie Moor and the turbines could put off visitors from returning to the area.

“My partner cycles on routes around the moor three or four times a week and we frequently walk there,” said Keira Sangster. “The point I’m making is we use the moor for relaxation and that will change because it won’t be relaxing when there is building at the site.

“Okay, construction work won’t last forever and in a year it’ll be complete but I can’t imagine it being the same calm, tranquil place it is now because of these structures,” she added.

“Undoubtedly it is not an encouraging experience and is actually quite threatening,” said another resident. “People enjoy the countryside and inevitably large structures will devalue the experience significantly.”

Concerns were raised about the turbines’ ability to spook timid horses and impact the wind farm would have on historic rights of way on the moor.

But the applicants, Novera Engineering, said the existing rights of way would not be affected once the turbines were up. Conditions will be attached to the application to ensure any disruption during construction was kept to a minimum.

They said there was relatively little evidence about the affect on horses and stressed that, as most of the major rights of way were to the south of the turbines, their shadows would never fall on the routes.

“We’re really into an area where it comes down to a perception of things happening that is different to the norm, and a lack of evidence for this suggests to me that it really is more a matter of perception,” said a Novera representative.

Tom Woolley, whose home is near Rossie Moor, said weather patterns in the area were unsettled. It experienced periods of no wind when the turbines would not operate then periods of extreme wind when they would be shut down for safety.

Wind changes direction frequently, which would cause the turbines to change bearing.

“The noise of rotating blades is a gross irritant, but the reputed graunching sound when changing direction could be even more extreme,” he said.

“The proposed location of the turbines, whose energy generation would be unpredictable in the extreme, must therefore be flawed and… dictated by the wishes of the landowner and proximity of a grid connection.”

Mr Woolley said the proposal would devastate an area of outstanding beauty, create hazards and destroy biodiversity beyond redemption, adding, “Rather than industrialise this precious and popular recreational and protected area of natural beauty, we should be promoting its use and furthering its potential for therapeutic and educational purposes.”

STORM (Stop Turbines On Rossie Moor) chairwoman Mrs Jo Woolley said she had serious reservations on the accuracy of the environmental conclusions in the application, “not least because Novera’s treatment of this community has been so appalling from the start.”

“In the absence of incontrovertible need, I would continue to argue against a siting which would destroy the ability of numerous local residents to peacefully abide and work in their homes and school (Rossie School secure unit) and which would strike at the balance of a designated habitat.

“I advocate stalking the frontiers of science for better solutions rather than fall back on old, inefficient technology.

Mrs Woolley told the inquiry reporter, “We fear for the ecology of our remnant moor, the amenity of its rights of way, the creatures who breed and overwinter there. We are anxious about the beauty of the Angus skies ... the balanced habitat.

“We are very concerned about the peace of neighbours in homes ringing the moor.

“That is why we of STORM have lavished energy over what will have been five years— studying the environmental statement, find our way through a maze of planning, raising funds, committing family savings at a financially cataclysmic time and—most costly of all—denying irreplaceable time with family and friends to defend it all.

“That is why we hope you will unconditionally turn this proposal down.”