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Growing opposition forces port bosses to slash turbine scheme
Credit: By Jamie Buchan | The Press and Journal | 28 January 2013 | ~~
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North-east harbour bosses have been forced to scale back multimillion-pound plans for a major renewable energy scheme amid mounting opposition.
The wind turbines project at Fraserburgh was aimed at safeguarding the future of the busy Buchan port.
The town’s harbour board hoped to erect a pair of 250ft masts at the quayside and sell the electricity generated to National Grid.
Money made from the £ 2.4million investment would be ploughed back into harbour projects, repairs and improvements.
The project has had to be downsized dramatically following a rash of objections.
The Press and Journal understands the original scheme has now been scrapped and fresh plans will be lodged with Aberdeenshire Council later this year.
The revised proposals will involve only one turbine at land just north of Sudan Lane, at the southern end of the harbour.
Local councillors, who recently visited the earmarked site, had been due to rule on the twin-turbines project tomorrow. They were expected to reject the harbour board’s bid for planning consent after a report by local authority officials argued that the scheme was against policy.
Unlike a similar plan for Peterhead harbour, the Fraserburgh scheme did not attract many complaints from local residents.
The Ministry of Defence and air traffic controllers both claimed the scheme could cause interference to vital radar equipment.
Wildlife charity RSPB Scotland also raised concerns that the turbines could pose a risk to seabirds that roost nearby.
A planning department spokeswoman confirmed the project had been withdrawn from tomorrow’s Banff and Buchan area committee meeting agenda.
“The turbine which is being removed is the one earmarked for the south breakwater,” she said.
“A further consultation period will be required before the revised plan can be determined.”
Fraserburgh harbour commissioners, who unveiled the turbines plan to the public more than a year ago, declined to comment last night.
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