That article begs the question aren't site visits always required for planning applications?

The issue of wind turbines was raised on TMA several years ago (in connection with those proposed for Lewis I think) and although they might seem like a good idea it was argued back then (and the same arguments still apply) that they might not be as environmentally friendly as first appears. Hazards to wildlife aside the turbines might appear innocuous but they require large, sturdy platforms to support them and those involve the transportation of considerable amounts of concrete and other materials, roads to transport those materials (and maintain the turbines) stations to relay the power they generate and cables from source to user to achieve that.

My gut feeling is that they’re the easy option (again) – they’re relatively cheap to produce and maintain (compared to nuclear power stations) so that’s what Joe Public is getting. The fact that they consume large amounts of construction material, are noisy, spoil the landscape and are a hazard to wildlife is conveniently brushed under the carpet.

There are better alternatives - a solar panel on every new house or building (mandatory) would go a long way towards generating (or at least supplementing) enough energy for domestic use. Energy saving measures also need to be more vigorously implemented. All night street lighting for example is a complete nonsense (take a look at a night view of any UK town or city then multiply that by a factor of thousands for every town or city on earth) when all you need are motion or infrared sensors to trigger the light when a person or vehicle approaches (that simple technology is used by millions of people already in their gardens and driveways, it just needs a top down mandatory order to implement it on a national scale).

Apologies, but on a personal note my heart goes out to the people of Japan – a country with no natural energy resources other than wood and coal, a country forced to import every drop of oil or gas it uses, the only country to have suffered two atomic devastations and is now possibly faced with a nuclear third.

This was in the paper today - controversial turbine plan near Easter Aquhorthies stone circle, Aberdeenshire.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2179091

Also new application for turbines on Pressendye. Just a few months after an turbine application was not granted on this hill. someone else is trying to ruin (imo) this lovely area which overlooks Tarland and Tomnaverie stone circle and the Mulloch area in Aberdeenshire.

http://www.stopturbinesincushnie.co.uk

Walk to see windfarm ‘devastation’
protesters say major caithness archaeological area would be blighted if turbines get go-ahead

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2184826?UserKey=

Just adding this to the list, I'm fairly neutral on this, read the article and its an estate that is bringing in the 'devastation' word. In England it is of course 'nimbyism' that gets bandied about. It seems Historic Scotland have given the go ahead, or withdrawn from the fight ;)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16608068

Let us zoom ahead to the year 2018.
An old toothless pensioner completes his final putt at the Trump Municipal Pitch and Putt course on the re-possessed Menie Estate. He gets to play free on weekdays.
A hooded teenager on work experience picks up some wind-born litter from the long unkempt grass at the edge of the course. There is a future for him for there is no shortage of wind or litter in this area.
2 stray dogs are locked in sexual rigor.
A Polish Medical Student at Aberdeen University pays his fees by picking up dogshit in black plastic bags from the pitch and putt course. He smiles as he works for he has nearly completed his studies and is not in debt.
In the cold wind a snack van sports a fluttering saltire. The owner sells chips and burgers to the grateful putters.
And in the cold grey mist of the North Sea, a group of Windmill Behemoths go Trump, Trump, Trump.....