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Turbine at ancient site awaits fate
Credit: By Christopher Rae | The Press and Journal | 11 April 2013 | ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
The fate of plans for a wind turbine next to a Bronze Age burial site will be decided by councillors next week.
The plans for a 260ft structure at Mains of Melrose farm at Gamrie, near Banff, were recommended for refusal by planners at a meeting of the Banff and Buchan area committee last month.
However, after hearing from objectors and the landowner, the members decided to defer a decision in order to visit the site.
At the meeting, officers had concerns about the cumulative impact of turbines in the area, as well as the potential impact on the Law of Melrose, an ancient burial cairn located around 230 yards from the proposed site of the turbine.
The applicant said it was unlikely any damage would be caused to the site.
David Allen, who farms at Mains of Melrose with his father, Robert, and brother Stuart, told members: “The land that we propose to site the turbine on is around eight inches of top soil on top of solid rock.
“That soil has been ploughed and cultivated over the years, so it is unlikely anything relating to the cairn will remain.”
The plan has attracted widespread support with around 60 letters and e-mails to Aberdeenshire Council planners, praising the development.
The local authority has also received 14 objections to the plan and will make a final decision on Tuesday.
Historic Scotland warned that construction could do untold damage to the ancient burial site.
The earth-and-stone mound dates back to 2500BC – the Bronze Age – and is believed to have been used for funeral services and rituals.
Turriff-based Muirden Energy, who are agents for the project, said it is “improbable” that groundbreaking work at the turbine site would unearth hitherto undiscovered remains.
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