A community backlash has left the developers of a proposed windfarm near Forfar in no doubt that it is not wanted.
Angus Council has received around 150 individual objections to a planning application to site a wind monitoring mast on farmland between Forfar and Glamis, plus a 500-signature petition against the proposals.
Locals don’t want to see turbines which would be twice the height of Forfar’s East and Old Parish Church on the land at Brigton Hill.
One Courier reader, who prefers not to be identified, said animals were being given greater consideration than the residents of the Kinnettles area.
The reader responded after reading that at another proposed windfarm site in Angus the developers were putting in webcams to monitor wildlife habitats and take steps to minimise any disruption to the animals.
There was also concern that the Scottish Government’s recommended minimum distance between wind turbines and homes would be breached.
While the planning application is for a meteorological mast, such trials are done to check the viability of a windfarm and the locals are in no doubt that the developers will in due course submit a full application.
Glamis and Area Community Council (GACC) has written to Angus Council stating it will be opposed to the development of any future windfarm.
Chairman Bill Dougan said: ”The mast is designed to gather data that will be used to make decisions about the viability of the proposed windfarm.”
On behalf of the community council he made a strong objection to the lack of residents on a liaison group proposed by the developers.
He said: ”Enertrag Ltd has stressed their willingness to engage with the local community and is establishing a local community liaison group (CLG), which will include one representative of GACC.
”However, there are no representatives from the group of local residents opposed to the plan on the CLG and it appears that Enertrag has not as yet engaged in meaningful discussions with the group or with neighbouring landowners or residents affected by the proposed development.”
He said the developer was opposed to GACC holding a public meeting to discuss the wider implications of the mast and subsequent windfarm at Kinnettles.
The community council is also concerned that proposals for the windfarm would not comply with the minimum distance recommendations between turbines and housing, adopted by Angus Council.
Mr Dougan said: ”Enertrag has indicated that if turbines were to be erected at Kinnettles Hill, then a minimum distance of only 700m would be established between the turbines and the nearest dwelling.
”We understand that there are upwards of 100 dwellings within the 2km zone, which includes the communities of Douglastown and Kirkton.”
A spokeswoman for Angus Council said: ”An application for the wind monitoring mast is pending consideration and is the subject of ongoing discussions between the council and the applicant.”
No date has been set for when the application will come before the council.