The casting vote of a planning committee chairman has signalled the green light for a new track up to a Sidlaws wind turbine.
Angus development standards convener Rob Murray ruled that the committee should go with the approval recommendation of officials for the track at West Mains, Auchterhouse, to serve a 60m wind turbine approved for Windberry Energy Operations last May.
There were a number of objections to the plan.
East Mains farmer John Skea told the committee: “Residents in this area have a non-classified road that’s getting worse by the day.
“All the development of the last 15 to 20 years has been passed with nothing done to upgrade the roads.”
Objectors also said the applicants had not properly exhausted the possibility of using an existing track through discussion with a nearby householder over access arrangements.
Moving refusal, Councillor Craig Fotheringham said: “We have been told it has been provisionally agreed to allow access (to the existing track) so I don’t see why we should be using prime agricultural land.”
Councillors were split five-five over the bid, with Mr Murray deciding in favour of the application.
