Disbelief has been expressed that a wind farm developer is eyeing land on the edge of a north-east Fife village where residents fought off the construction of wind turbines just three years ago.
People in Auchtermuchty waged and won a long battle to prevent EnergieKontor building five turbines at Rossie, to the east of the burgh.
However, another green energy company is now considering building three turbines that will be more than 80 metres high in roughly the same area, and a further four of the same size at Pitcarlie, 3km north of the village.
David White was a leading voice in the campaign against the EnergieKontor wind farm, as chairman of Auchtermuchty Landscape and Environment group.
He said, “The Auchtermuchty Landscape and Environment group went to a great deal of time, trouble and expense as did the local community on successfully fighting the previous planning application for five turbines adjacent to Auchtermuchty Common.
“It seems unbelievable that a further application is now being made for three wind turbines in essentially the same location as those previously refused by a Scottish Government reporter.”
Mr White also criticised the stance of those who have started a campaign of support for a wind farm on Clatto Hill, between Kettle and Kennoway, as reported by The Courier last week.’Nimbies’He said, “I wonder how many of the people who support those wind turbines and give the impression that those who are objecting to them are ‘nimbies’ would like to have these monsters adjacent to their homes?”
Planning applications are yet to be submitted by e-Gen, but the company has lodged requests for screening direction from Fife Council in respect of both the Rossie and Pitcarlie sites.
Such requests are often made before the submission of planning applications for advice on whether formal environmental impact assessment is necessary.
In both cases, the company’s agent, Stephanie Wood of Green Cat Renewables, said initial assessments indicate the sites are suitable for the turbines proposed, although environmental issues would require to be addressed.
She also says that while there may be some significant effects at both locations, which are in a designated area of great landscape value, these would be localised within 5km of the development.
In February 2008, EnergieKontor lost its appeal to the Scottish Government for permission for a wind farm at Rossie.
Its proposal never went before Fife councillors as the local authority missed the determination deadline and the company took its plans straight to ministers.