Queen Mother’s castle threatened by ‘industrial eyesore’

Councillors person objected to plans for a ample artillery retention tract adjacent a castle saved from ruin by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Developer Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE) has projected installing much than 300 batteries connected a 25-acre tract 2 miles from Castle of Mey, adjacent Thurso successful Caithness.

The Queen Mother archetypal saw what was past known arsenic Barrogill Castle successful 1952, portion mourning the decease of her husband, King George VI.

She had the spot restored successful the 1950s and spent holidays determination until October 2001. King Charles, her grandson, has been a predominant visitant to the castle implicit the years.

Highland councillors person objected to the artillery retention plan, citing the interaction to the castle and section tourism, including the North Coast 500 way astir the northbound of the Scotland.

But assembly officers person warned that the objection whitethorn not clasp up erstwhile scrutinised by Scottish ministers. The Scottish Government’s vigor consents portion volition marque a last determination connected the proposal.

The artillery vigor retention strategy would beryllium 1 of the highest capableness artillery sites successful Scotland, holding astir 352 units.

The strategy stores excess vigor generated by upwind farms and merchandise it backmost to the National Grid astatine periods of precocious demand. SAE has said its 300MW strategy would person a minimal interaction and would assistance successful the proviso of vigor security.

Speaking during a statement connected the proposal, councillor Matthew Reiss said the strategy would beryllium “right connected the doorstep” of the castle and different tourer attractions.

But assembly planner Dafydd Jones said the tract would beryllium lone 3m (9.8ft) and “not peculiarly salient oregon visible” but connected the instantly adjacent road.

Andy Hayton, a Mey resident, said the connection was an “industrial eyesore” that would “brutalise the tranquil and historical scenery of Mey”.

He raised his concerns implicit the biology impacts of the tract and called SAE’s program to works trees to mitigate the tract interaction “insulting”.

The King spends much than a week astatine the castle each summertime and has made alterations to the gardens established by his grandmother, who died aged 101 successful 2002.

Alan Titchmarsh, the TV gardener who knew the Queen Mother well, has besides donated a ample postulation of roses successful the Shell Garden. Mr Titchmarsh is an honorary patron of the castle’s friends’ organisation.

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