A Scottish Government reporter has dismissed an appeal to build five 110m turbines at Outh Muir in the Cleish Hills.
The anti-windfarm campaign group Spot Fife welcomed the news, which comes amid campaigners’ concerns at plans to put up 11 115m (377ft) wind turbines at Blairadam Forest, near Kelty.
The chairman of Spot Fife, Tom Bain, said: “People have had the decision about these turbines hanging over them for years and are now hopeful the Cleish Hills area will remain free of turbines.
“The sites are so clearly unsuitable yet due to the vast subsidies paid to wind turbine developers, by way of our electricity bills, developers continue to submit unsuitable applications and so cause fear and uncertainty for people living nearby and those who love Fife’s beautiful countryside.”
In relation to the Outh Muir refusal, the reporter noted the peaceful setting of Loch Glow, which is extremely popular with anglers and walkers, and said the introduction of wind turbines would be “a very unwelcome intrusion in this secluded part of the hills”.
He concluded that: “The proposed windfarm would be a prominent and dominant feature in the heart of the Cleish Hills local landscape area, where it would be visible in some valued and unspoiled views.”
Safety concerns for aircraft at Edinburgh Airport were also cited as a reason for refusal, as was the effect of the turbines on the historic setting of Dumglow hill fort.
Mr Bain added: “With the 11 115m turbines at neighbouring Blairadam due to be determined by Fife Council soon, we are now optimistic that given the reporter’s unequivocal refusal of Outh Muir windfarm there is no reason why Blairadam should be approved.
“The impact on the landscape and the visual impact would be far worse as Blairadam windfarm would have more than twice the number of turbines proposed at Outh and taller turbines. Edinburgh Airport has also objected to the Blairadam application.”