Landowner's pledge over Kintradwell Wind Farm: 'If it goes ahead, then I will apply for one too'
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A SUTHERLAND landowner has given notice that if the controversial Kintradwell Wind Farm gets the go-ahead, then he too will be seeking consent for a similar development nearby.
Michael Dudgeon of Crakaig Farm, was speaking at a extraordinary general meeting of Brora Community Council, held on Tuesday to gauge local feeling towards the 15-turbine turbine wind farm to be located just under five miles to the north west of the village.
Mr Dudgeon, whose land at Crakaig neighbours Kintradwell Estate, said: “I was the first applicant in Scotland in 1992 to have a wind farm development turned down and that was on visual impact. If the Kintradwell Wind Farm goes ahead, I will then be applying for another."
He went on to refute claims made at the meeting that “greedy landowners were profiteering from wind farms”, saying: “Most estates up here do not have an income and the only way we can survive is by renewable energy or selling to someone else in the south."
More than 16 people linked in to the online meeting with most speaking against the development which wind farm group Loth Residents claim would “overshadow” Brora.
Amanda MacRae addressed developer RES’s agreement to give Brora contractor Edward Mackay first refusal on the civil construction work for the scheme.
“I want to see local jobs but not at any cost,” she said. “Just because it has got the label of a job should not be the overall deciding factor.”
Community council secretary Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera said if the wind farm went ahead there would be a line of turbines from Kintradwell to the Gordonbush and Kilbraur wind farms.
Chairman Russell Rekhy said that after considering the views expressed, the community council would “respond appropriately” to planners by the April 16 deadline.
Ridge too far – campaign group galvanises residents over wind farm
