Windfarm windfall for groups

Funding to the tune of £21,345 has been handed out to a range of local groups and projects from the newly-established St John’s Hill Wind Farm Community Fund Awards.

Independent renewable energy developer REV established the fund as a means of enabling the windfarm to contribute to the community in which it operates.

Successful applicants this round included Arbuthnott Community Association, Catterline Harbour Trust, Catterline School Parent Group, Catterline Gala Committee, Catterline Braes Action Group, Kinneff Parent Council, Kinneff Old Church Preservation Trust, Kinneff Bowling Club and Kinneff Lunch Club.

Funding is available for the benefit of not-for-profit groups and organisations in the community council areas of Arbuthnott and Catterline, Kinneff and Dunnottar.

Administered by Kincardineshire Development Partnership (KDP), applications to the fund are assessed by a decision-making panel made up of representatives from both community council areas, the energy company and a neutral independent representative from outwith the areas of benefit.

The fund is available annually for the lifetime of the windfarm, which sits six miles south-west of Stonehaven.

Commissioned in 2013 it comprises nine turbines and is owned and operated by Scottish & Southern Energy.