Wind farm developer optimistic

THE developer behind a £5 billion wind farm off the Angus coast still hopes to begin onshore work this year, despite strong opposition to plans to lay underground cables across the county.

A public inquiry process is now under way regarding SSE-owned Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd’s use of compulsory purchase powers (CPO) to secure access to a stretch of land linking a landing point at Carnoustie Golf Links and a substation near the village of Tealing.

It i s feared the work may reduce the chances of the links being selected to host international tournaments in future.

The Scottish Government reporter is aiming to set up the first pre-inquiry meeting early this year.

Jackie Buchanan, head of legal at Angus Council, said the rights contained in Seagreen’s use of the CPO was “excessive” and argued for an alternative route.

She said the proposed route through the “internationallyrenowned golf links” had the “potential to inhibit the prospect of the links being selected for major golf tournaments to the detriment of Carnoustie, the Angus Council area, and Scotland in general.”

A spokesman for SSE Renewables said: “Since beginning the CPO process for the project, our aim has been to address all of the key concerns. We have been working hard with each landowner and, through discussion and dialogue, have made significant new proposals in the last few weeks.”

VISITORS to Dundee V&A’s Hello, Robot exhibition can enjoy a selection of flash fiction stories specially commissioned for the show.

One of the most interesting pieces, Mr Fuzz, centres on the question of whether you would want a robot to take care of you.

It’s written by Lindz McLeod, a writer and poet from Edinburgh, and is about a grandmother and her grandchild bonding over a shared interaction with a smart robot.

The stories are drawn by Sean Mulvenna, an illustrator from Glasgow who works with art

A CONTROVERSIAL move to strip religious leaders from voting on the future of Dundee’s education system could be brought back to the table after it was booted out last night.

North East independent councillor Gregor Murray failed to have voting powers removed from church representatives and trade unions by a margin of 26 votes to two.

Councillor Murray said the presence of religious figures on the education committee was a “historical anachronism”.

However, the motion was condemned by members on all sides.

Today, Councillor Murray – a former education convener before quitting the SNP – has suggested the motion could be revisited.

Councillor Murray said: “I’m more than happy to bring it back and discuss it in more detail.

“I didn’t change it when I was convener because I was a member of a party and couldn’t get agreement within that party. Now I’m an independent member I don’t need to convince anyone else.

“I think the argument that their