A pre-determination hearing was held by Aberdeenshire Council on Wednesday 09 September 2026 to discuss the proposed onshore infrastructure for the Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm. The hearing allowed for the presentation of information by planning officers, the applicant, and various stakeholders, including community councils and business representatives, before a final decision is made by the Infrastructure Services Committee.

Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm Onshore Infrastructure

The meeting focused on the planning application for the onshore infrastructure required to connect the proposed Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm to the national grid. This infrastructure includes a landfall point at Haughs Bay, a substation within Fetteresso Forest, and underground cabling linking these sites. The application seeks Planning Permission in Principle, meaning detailed designs will be submitted at a later stage.

Key discussions and concerns raised included:

• Economic Benefits and Regional Impact: Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the project, highlighting its strategic importance for the region's transition to new energy solutions and its potential to attract investment and support the local energy supply chain. He emphasised the project's potential to generate significant economic value and jobs, aligning with the Council's Community Wealth Building Strategy.
• Local Environmental and Amenity Impacts: Several objectors, including Scott Strachan, Andrew Ritchie, and Mark Ansell representing the Crathes, Drumoak and Durris Community Council, raised significant concerns about the local impacts of the proposed substation and cable corridor. These included:
  • Landscape and Visual Impact: Concerns were raised about the scale and visual prominence of the substation, its potential to permanently alter the rural character of Fetteresso Forest, and the inadequacy of compensatory planting to screen the infrastructure. The cumulative visual impact of multiple energy developments in the area was also a significant concern.
  • Private Water Supplies and Hydrology: Objectors expressed serious concerns about the potential impact of excavation and earthworks on private water supplies and local hydrology, with fears that these could be diminished or lost. The applicant stated that monitoring and alternative provisions would be made if impacts were identified.
  • Noise and Vibration: Concerns were raised about both construction and operational noise, particularly given the low existing background noise levels in the rural area, and the potential impact on residential amenity and holiday accommodation businesses.
  • Construction Traffic and Road Impact: Worries were expressed about the suitability and enforceability of construction traffic management plans, with fears that unsuitable local roads could be damaged and residents inconvenienced.
  • Biodiversity and Woodland Loss: Concerns were raised about habitat loss, fragmentation, and the impact on protected species, particularly nightjars, with questions about the adequacy of biodiversity net gain assessments.
  • Cumulative Impact: A recurring theme was the concern that the proposed development, when considered alongside other planned energy infrastructure in the Fetteresso Forest area, would lead to the industrialisation of the landscape, with a call for a holistic assessment of cumulative effects.
• Infrastructure and Safety: Brian Wade raised concerns regarding the proximity of the development to major accident hazard pipelines, questioning the scoping out of health and safety considerations from the Environmental Impact Assessment and the adequacy of consultation with pipeline operators. He also highlighted the potential for unaddressed risks associated with AC voltage induced corrosion of pipelines.
• Planning Process and Mitigation: Questions were raised about the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Assessment, the site selection process, and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures. The applicant explained that the application for Planning Permission in Principle allows for detailed designs and mitigation strategies to be developed and submitted at a later stage, with conditions to be applied to any consent.

The hearing concluded with Councillors acknowledging the information gathered. A report will be presented to the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee on 27 October 2026, followed by a determination by the Infrastructure Services Committee on 19 November 2026.