Marijke Ross
Walkers, on reaching the summit of Clachnaben, could soon be greeted by 28 wind turbines, each one higher than the London Eye. A planning application will be submitted to the Scottish Government in August and during a short period of consultation we will all have an opportunity to comment.
The stunning views over a large part of Scotland from the Cairn o' Mount viewing point have delighted and encouraged both locals and tourists from all over the world to visit this part of Scotland. This view will change. These manmade structures, measuring nearly 500 feet (150m), will be some of the tallest onshore turbines anywhere in the UK - a 747 Jumbo Jet would easily fit within the span of the giant turbine blades. On driving over the natural landscape of the Cairn 0'Mount, the large wind turbines will be clearly visible from the road as they will be from the summits of Lochnagar and many of the other Cairngorm summits. Some of the turbines will also be visible from Scolty Hill and the village of Strachan.
Clachaben is one of the iconic landmarks of Deeside, enjoyed by thousands of
visitors every year. And the Clachnaben area has been recognized as a special
landscape area by Aberdeenshire Council. This natural undisturbed moorland contains
a vast area of peat bog. There are many reasons why this landscape is so special
providing nesting or feeding opportunities to golden eagles, Curlew, Merlin,
Red Kite, Ring Ouzel, Golden Plover, Snipe, Buzzard, Short Eared Owl, Osprey
and many others.
This will all change as, to prepare the site, 1,000 tons of concrete will be
needed to make the base of each turbine, perhaps 30,000 tons of concrete in
all. There are no plans to remove this concrete when and if the turbines are
decommissioned. Large roads will need to be built, excavating peat bogs many
millions of years old, to reach each concrete turbine base, wide enough to take
the large articulated lorries needed to transport the turbines and the huge
blades.
If you would like more information about this development, please look at our Facebook page (Save Clachnaben Stop the Glendye windfarm) and also the Feughdee West Community Council website, which will post updates on the planning process.
Images courtesy of Save Clachnaben Stop the Glendye Windfarm and can be viewed on its Facebook page.
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