Angus Council has confirmed it is in discussions with a renewables company on the development of wind turbines in Montrose, following a series of reports in The Courier.
Local sources last week said members of the corporate services committee had been informed privately that the council had been holding talks with Partnerships for Renewables Ltd with a view to erecting two turbines at the town’s airfield.
Members of the Alliance administration, including committee convener and Montrose councillor Mark Salmond, rejected an SNP opposition attempt to have the matter debated publicly because it contained sensitive commercial information. And officials insist the company has yet to lodge a formal planning application.
A spokeswoman said, “The council’s corporate services committee approved the report detailing progress made on an option agreement with Partnerships for Renewables Ltd. The report outlined the work undertaken so far in identifying council-owned sites that may be suitable for renewable electricity generation.
“The report was considered in private as it contained commercially sensitive information about an external organisation.
“Any wind turbine development proposed by Partnerships for Renewables Ltd would be subject to the usual planning process and public consultation. No such planning application has been submitted to or has been considered by the council.”
Partnerships for Renewables aim to develop energy projects on public sector land and there has been speculation that Montrose is well-placed for such a project.
However similar proposals last year caused outrage when they were mooted in Dundee and a pressure group, Residents Against Tay Turbines (RATTs), was formed specifically in an attempt to derail the plans.