The renewables developer behind plans for what could become Scotland’s largest wind turbines is inviting Perthshire communities to discuss the possibility of a partnership.
Hamilton-based Banks Renewables will host two events in a bid to sway support for its Bandirran windfarm development.
Exhibitions will be held at St Martin’s Village Hill in Balbeggie today and at the Inchture Hotel tomorrow, between 3pm and 7pm each day.
The concept for the partnership approach has already seen a number of meetings held between Banks Renewables and local community groups, businesses and community councils in the area.
The developer last month took the first step towards creating the windfarm when it was given permission by Perth and Kinross Council to erect an 80-metre-high wind mast at Southtown Farm, located on the Bandirran Estate, two miles east of Balbeggie.
It will gauge wind resources at the location and is the precursor to the creation of an eight-turbine farm at the location, with each turbine rising 135 metres into the sky.
There has been significant local opposition to the plan, with 20 letters of objection to the wind mast submitted to the council by residents and community groups.
However, Banks Development director Colin Anderson believes there are huge possibilities in the scheme for the local community.
“We are excited by the opportunity this project has created for both Banks Renewables and the local communities to make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future,” he said.
“We would like to continue active community participation in the project’s development, as our experience has shown this results in better outcomes for all concerned. As a result, we have organised these exhibitions in Balbeggie and Inchture and are inviting local residents, business and community groups to come along and find out more about the proposal and the benefits it has the potential to bring.
“Hopefully, through this process of meetings, we can reaffirm to locals that the development will take into account their opinions and reviews, with the ultimate aim of creating a development which is as acceptable to as many people as possible.”
At 135 metres, the turbines it proposes for the Perthshire site would at present become Scotland’s tallest, although other even larger turbines are already entering the planning process nationally.
They would dwarf landmarks such as the Scot Monument and Big Ben and would be visible along the Carse of Gowrie and, potentially, from Dundee, Perth and Fife.
Perthshire’s tallest turbines are currently those at the massive Griffin windfarm, near Aberfeldy, whose structures measure 125 metres. They can be viewed from as far away as Perth.