The developer behind plans for a windfarm on the edge of the Sidlaw Hills believes there is growing community support for the scheme.
The first step towards the creation of the Bandirran windfarm was taken at a council meeting last month as Banks Renewables was given permission to construct a wind monitoring mast near Balbeggie.
That 80-metre structure is the first step towards an eight-turbine windfarm, with each tower reaching 135 metres into the sky.
Objectors, however, fear the mast and future turbines could devastate the landscape, damage the environment, harm local bird life, and even impact on aviation.
Despite that opposition, Banks has been working hard to push the merits of its plans for a community partnership surrounding the windfarm.
It recently held two public exhibitions in the area surrounding the chosen site at Southtown Farm, detailing its plans for the windfarm and the prospects for a community partnership.
More than 120 people attended the St Martin’s Public Hall in Balbeggie and the Inchture Hotel, and Banks development director Colin Anderson came away convinced there is growing regard for the opportunities that could be offered by the plan.
The community partnership would mean that communities surrounding the development would secure a share of the gross revenues generated from the windfarm, which they could then use towards priority community projects and initiatives.
Additionally, communities would have the option to purchase an increased share of the windfarm post-commissioning.
Mr Anderson said feedback from the public exhibitions showed that members of the community wanted to take the idea of a partnership scheme forward within local groups and community councils.
“It was great to get the feedback we did from local people that attended the exhibitions,” he told The Courier.
“We got the chance to show the local community what we can bring to them and how the windfarm could benefit everyone involved.
“As well as the positive feedback on the community partnership proposal, we got several useful comments which will help us shape the final proposals.
“We want to develop a windfarm that suits as many people as possible, which has the widest positive impact in terms of community, environment and local economy.
“I believe the community partnership we are proposing for our Bandirran Wind Farm is a unique and exciting opportunity for the area which lets the community take control of their future.
“It will help create positive projects for the area, create job opportunities and help give the local economy a great boost.”
Members of the business community also attended the exhibitions and Greg Campopiano, assistant manager at Collace Quarry, said he had been impressed by the proposals.
“The community partnership idea sounds great and helped me understand how as a community we could all benefit from a windfarm at Bandirran,” he said.
“As a local business, it was also reassuring to hear news about the opportunities which could be made available to local companies during the construction of the windfarm.”