A government decision on the UK’s tallest windfarm will ignore other local applications made in the last two years, it has emerged.
Developer RES wants to build 16 wind turbines, each measuring up to 220 metres, which would tower over the countryside at Hill of Fare near Banchory.
Aberdeenshire Council rejected the plan in August 2024. But the final decision on appeal now rests with Scottish Ministers.
A Public Local Inquiry will take place in the town from September 1 to 13.
But government Reporter Tammy Swift-Adams’ office have confirmed the “cumulative impact assessment” won’t include information from the previous two years.
This will mean examples such as the larger Glenskinnan with up to 14 wind turbines up to 220 metres plus a battery storage system and solar array between Strachan and Banchory will be excluded.
At Holyrood today, local MSP Alexander Burnett said this was an example of an “outdated” planning system.
He told MSPs: “This is more than two years before the Reporter will hold her inquiry and fails to take into account any applications which are known about and those in the earlier stages of planning and consultation, as well as any other energy infrastructure projects.”
Acting climate action minister Alasdair Allan said “all representations that are made in any community about an application like this are considered when a decision is made.”
He added: “When an application is ready to be determined, Scottish ministers consider all relevant material available to them before making any decision. And the merits of each proposal are considered on a case by case basis, and a careful balance must be struck.”
Later, Mr Burnett said: “We are often told by the Scottish and UK governments that the process of energy consenting is outdated.
“So it stands to reason that the Scottish Government will expect up-to-date information when making massive decisions that will have a major impact on people’s lives.
“If there is a push to streamline the planning process for electrical infrastructure, it needs to respect communities more than it does now.”
More than 2,000 objections have been received by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
It previously emerged 200 objectors weren’t notified about the PLI by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division in Edinburgh.
Among objections from residents include fears that 45,000 people living within 15km of the proposed site, in more than 20 community council areas, would suffer from “visual impact, shadow flicker, noise, infrasound and the loss of landscape”.
