Kerloch Windfarm is Not Appropriate because:-

•Visual Impact: This is an exceptionally beautiful landscape, bordering on Deeside, and providing a wonderful outlook from Strachan, Banchory, and more distant communities. The giant turbines would dominate this landscape.

•Protected Landscape: The site abuts the Dee Valley Special Landscape Area – a protected landscape, which would be desecrated by the massive turbines on Kerloch.

•Protected River System: Streams on the site drain into the River Dee Special Area of Conservation (SAC) risking pollution to a protected river system, especially during floods and/or construction activity.

•Natural Amenity: Kerloch is very popular for many forms of outdoor recreation, including triathlons, adventure races, wild swimming, water sports, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and model aeroplane flying.

•Tranquillity: The tranquil nature of the area is recognised as a valuable asset by the local community and by the Aberdeenshire Planning Authority.

•Tourism: All the above factors nourish a thriving tourism business in the local area, with Hotels, B&Bs, Cabins, Caravans, restaurants, pubs, shops, fishing business and outdoor activity centres all benefiting from the current, beautiful environment.

•Infrastructure overload:  Construction activity will overwhelm and overload local hill roads and bridges, and temporary accommodation demand from the transient workforce is likely to displace tourists during the peak summer seasons.

•Flora and Fauna: The Natural environment is rich in flora and fauna which will be harmed by the construction and operation activities.  The river system is home to endangered species such as Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussels, European eel and otters. 

•Archaeology: There are ancient field systems within the wind farm site and stone circles adjacent to it.

•Local democracy: Local opinion is overwhelmingly against this development. 

Just in case you were wondering how big these turbines will be....

Tranquility

The countryside around Banchory is important for the leisure time and wellbeing of local communities. A research report for Banchory Community Trust found that 81% of respondents mentioned the importance of the surrounding countryside to their wellbeing.  

Tourism

Banchory is nestled in the heart of Royal Deeside, in a picturesque area ideal for hiking, cycling, fishing and exploring the countryside. Banchory is also situated on the popular North East 250 tourist route. 

Galileo Empower would have us believe that research shows wind farms have no impact on tourism. However, much research is out of date, partial and not looking at scenic, picturesque areas. Studies focusing on “landscape-dependant tourism” where tourists go to enjoy unspoilt countryside have found significant impact. Such tourists will avoid areas where wind farms are located. 

Additionally, holiday makers could be driven away permanently if B&Bs fill up with construction workers.

Archaeology

There are ancient field systems within the wind farm site and stone circles adjacent to it.

Local Democracy

Local feeling is overwhelmingly against this development.