Windfarm developers have hit back at claims a proposed turbine would adversely affect the setting of Arbroath and its historic abbey.
Glen Moon of Green Cat Renewables responded to Angus Council following a report by the local authority’s countryside officer Stewart Roberts.
His report previously stated that the single turbine at Bairds Malt on Elliot Industrial Estate would “dominate houses and have an overbearing effect.”
Mr Roberts warned the size and prominent location of the proposed turbine on the edge of Arbroath “would adversely affect the setting of Arbroath and historic landmarks within it”.
Bairds Malt submitted an application to Angus Council to develop a single turbine at their plant on the Elliot Industrial Estate with a height of 55 metres to its hub and 77 metres to tip.
Mr Moon said: “GCR believes that the response from the landscape officer does not give sufficient weight to the impact of the existing industrial elements already visible on site.
“The turbine will be viewed alongside other industrial elements within this section of the landscape, including the Maltings infrastructure, elements of which are over 30m in height.
“It would therefore not be viewed as an isolated industrialised feature in this area of the landscape.”
Mr Moon said the turbine is of a suitable scale for the location, providing a balance between energy generation and landscape and visual impact.
He said: “Historic Scotland has not raised an objection in terms of adverse impact upon the setting of any features within the study area, which include Arbroath Abbey, Keptie Hill Water Tower and the Hospitalfield complex.”
Mr Moon also disputed the part of Mr Roberts report which stated the turbine “would become a landmark for this part of the Angus coast.”
He concluded: “Whilst there are some significant impacts predicted with the construction and operation of a 77m tall wind turbine on the south-eastern edge of Arbroath, these impacts were found to be relatively localised.
“The turbine would be viewed alongside existing industrial elements and located within the existing footprint of the Maltings.
“The impacts on Arbroath, residents, visitors and commuters has been assessed as part of a robust Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.
“The findings of the LVIA show the turbine would add to the industrialised section of the landscape but would not become a dominant or overbearing feature across the wider countryside.
“Similarly there were no significant cumulative impacts predicted from any of the selected viewpoints.”