The Scottish Government has paved the way for a second commercial windfarm in Angus while closing the door on another.
Two reporters have upheld an appeal over the six-turbine development at Govals Farm near the A90 dual carriageway, exactly 10 years after the county’s first large-scale scheme negotiated its way through Holyrood.
But anti-windfarm campaigners have hailed news that the five-unit Dodd Hill windfarm north of Tealing was refused by the same men, Mr D Onn and Mr RM Hickman.
Both projects had been refused by Angus Council committees this year, forcing developers to look towards Holyrood.
Residents have registered “shock” that the 4.8MW Govals Farm scheme near Forfar has been successfully appealed, while describing the refusal of West Coast Energy’s scheme at Dodd Hill as a “no-brainer”.
Nearby resident Ray Gibson said the decision is “a blow for local democracy.”
He added: “Council officers and elected members were united in the view that a six-turbine windfarm would blight the landscape and seriously affect residential amenity.
“The statement from the reporters that Govals will result in ‘minor adverse effects’ beggars belief.
“Many people living closer to the site than myself are shocked and outraged.
“The landscape of the Strathmore Valley will be seriously affected for the next quarter of a century, as these turbines have been approved for 25 years.
“This is a wake-up call for the residents of Forfar and surrounding area with a raft of other windfarm applications pending enough is enough.”
West Coast Energy proposed 126-metre wind turbines, larger than the ones located at Michelin Tyre Company in Dundee, on Dodd Hill adjacent to Carrot Hill.
The firm’s director told The Courier it is too early to indicate any future plans for the site.
Steve Salt said: “We are obviously disappointed with the decision of the two reporters. We are now examining the notice from the Scottish Government before deciding on the way to go.”
An appeal to the Court of Session is possible but must be based on a point of law and must be submitted within six weeks.
The eight-turbine Ark Hill Windfarm near Glamis began delivery a year ago today and represented a milestone for developer Green Cat Renewables in 2002.
The firm came back to the table with plans for its second larger scheme in Angus, and with farmer David Cooper planning a development north-west of the Kincaldrum farm, between 1km and 2.7km west of the dual carriageway.
Campaigner Derek Powell of Angus Communities Windfarm Action Group said Angus residents had turned out in force to welcome planning refusal for the 87-metre Govals Farm turbines, which was backed by councillors.
A total of 98 letters of objection from 70 properties were received in relation to the proposal, and one letter of support.
A meeting of the development standards committee in May took an hour to side with council officers against the plans after hearing several representations.
Reasons for local authority refusal related to landscape, cumulative impact and residential amenity.
Mr Cooper, accompanied by Glen Moon of Green Cat, spoke of his desire to “diversify” a livestock business on his land, from which it is “becoming increasingly hard to make a living.”
The consultants declined to comment.