I would like the board of the Banff and Macduff Community Trust to explain why they think that they have the right to try to erect wind turbines in the Ord and Culvie communities.

I have enjoyed the past 57 years here, and would like my remaining time to be unspoilt by such industrial development.

When they advertised for local landowners to host their proposed wind turbines, they received no response from the Banff and Macduff community they claim to serve. Did they not question this lack of interest? Instead they have enticed an offer of two pieces of land from the McGookins, who themselves do not live near the Culvie site.

I attended the 'first consultation' along with many of the residents from the Ord and Culvie areas, but very few Banff and Macduff residents came along; again no local interest in this project.

The consultants were clearly shocked at the opposition to these proposals, and were unable to answer many of the questions raised. The Trust's chairman Ian Hardie, was equally vague and evasive, though claimed it was "his project". So, have the rest of the board had any input to this scheme? Indeed, who are they, and what do they have to say?

Mr Hardie has made a bold promise to share the future profits of this venture with the Aberchirder and Cornhill communities, but before they get too excited, he wrote to one Ord resident stating, "at this stage no profit scheme has been agreed or discounted".

When there is the question of all the cash required, £2 million plus interest in round figures. In the current climate I can't see any of the banks being too interested, so who is backing this project with serious amounts of cash?

So I appeal to the board of Banff and Macduff Community Trust Ltd to declare their interests and intentions with this scheme, one which appears to be outwith their area of concern. Or is there more to Mr Hardie's claim that this is his project?

Let me be clear, 'community wind turbines' are not welcome at Ord and Culvie. - Yours etc,

BILL SMART

Hill of Ord