Plans have been lodged for more wind turbines in the Mearns.
A wind turbine ”gold rush” is continuing to gather pace and the applications are among more than 800 at various stages of planning in Aberdeenshire.
Campaigners believe the flurry of applications will continue because turbines are permitted 400m from the nearest residence in Aberdeenshire yet in Fife it is 2km.
Applications for five-turbine sites in Laurencekirk are the latest to be lodged.
The turbine applications in Laurencekirk are all for a 51-metre wind turbine at Gossesslie Farm, Scotston, Waterlair, Caldhame Farmhouse, and Upper Powburn.
Plans for three 51-metre wind turbines on the outskirts of Stonehaven have also been unveiled at land at Brucewells and Ambleside at Netherley, and at Upper Wyndings at Fettesso.
All the applications have been lodged by Intelligent Land Investment (ILI) through the agent the Waterman Group.
The ILI website states: ”The company is focused on building the Intelligent brand in the Renewable Energy sector. This is being achieved by structuring a business strategy which puts the landowner first.”
ILI claims it offers farmers a way of unlocking some of the value of their land, while helping the environment.
Another two turbines would also be built at Peattie at Inverbervie.
The Green Company, of Glasgow, wants to build the 47.5m structures which would each produce 100KW.