Their announcement came after planning chiefs recommended the proposals for refusal, blaming the impact of turbines on the landscape.
The Ministry of Defence has also raised concerns that the 110 metre machines planned for Cairnborrow, near Huntly, would interfere with RAF radar.
Developers West Coast Energy and the Huntly Development Trust said the decision was "balanced but disappointing".
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In a statement, they said they had reduced the number of planned turbines from ten to nine, including a community turbine, whose expected £6m profits would be shared out among community projects and infrastructure improvements.
They said the majority of public objections to the wind farm had come from outside the Cairnborrow post code, but that people in the area were mostly supportive.
Richard Hammock of the Huntly Development Trust said: "This project provides a once in a generation opportunity to secure the income stream needed to deliver social outcomes that will improve quality of life for those in Huntly and the wider district."
The Cairnborrow wind farm plans have been nominated in the Community Project category of the Renewable UK awards – winners will be announced on June 27.
Steve Salt of WCE said: "This is a best in class example of a commercial wind farm working for the benefit of the community. There is a strong three-way relationship with the community and forward thinking local landowners."
The plans will be considered again on June 12.
(NE)
