WAG - Windfarm Action Group - the growing blight on the good earth ☯
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Coming to your town soon!
LINK to full STV report from Dec 2 2010
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EXCERPT
Proposals to build Scotland's first urban windfarm have blown up a storm of protest from city dwellers living near the planned site at Forthbank in Alloa, Clackmannanshire..
Previously, only country residents have been affected by the "rush to renewables" which has seen turbines sprouting among some of Scotland's most iconic hills and glens.Now, however, the renewable energy company Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) have submitted plans for a windfarm at a former landfill site at Forthbank in Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Its four proposed turbines would stand 125 metres tall, around twice the height of the nearby Wallace Monument.But objectors said the site, on the north bank of the River Forth, falls well within the two kilometre buffer zone recommended by the Scottish Government and have expressed concerns over noise, health issues and a detrimental effect on their quality of life.
Around 1000 homes as well as schools are located within two kilometres, along with several designated conservation areas, scheduled ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
Campaigners fear spectacular views to and from the Ochil Hills will be spoilt, and claim their lives may be made a misery by noise and shadow flicker from the turbines. They also fear house prices close to the turbines will subsequently fall.
The Scottish Government's planning policy relating to windfarms says local authorities should consider the historic environment; areas designated for their regional and local landscape or natural heritage value; tourism and recreation interests; and the likely impacts on communities, including long term and significant impact on amenity.It adds: "A separation distance of up to two kilometres between areas of search and the edge of cities, towns and villages is recommended to guide developments to the most appropriate sites and to reduce visual impact, but decisions on individual developments should take in to account specific local circumstances and geography."
Archaeologist Lorna Main, who lives at Dunmore, directly across the river from the proposed development, and represents the local village association, said: "Many people don't realise just how huge these turbines will be. They see them on distant hillsides and they look small when in actual fact they are simply far away."These turbines will be 125 metres tall. There will be a significant noise impact and also shadow flicker from the blades as they turn."There are around 1000 houses within two kilometres of this proposed windfarm in Alloa, Clackmannan and across the River Forth at South Alloa and Dunmore from where they will dominate the skyline before the Ochil Hills.
"These turbines will seriously affect the health of nearby residents of Alloa and Dunmore through audible noise and sub-audible aerodynamic modulation which leads to sleep deprivation and tinnitis in susceptible people.
"It is a totally unacceptable urban wind farm. Clackmannanshire Council is in it for profit and not for the good of the community. Anyone in a house within the 2Km radius should be extremely worried for the well-being of their whole family if this is given permission."
Proposals to build Scotland's first urban windfarm have blown up a storm of protest from city dwellers living near the planned site at Forthbank in Alloa, Clackmannanshire..
Previously, only country residents have been affected by the "rush to renewables" which has seen turbines sprouting among some of Scotland's most iconic hills and glens.Now, however, the renewable energy company Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) have submitted plans for a windfarm at a former landfill site at Forthbank in Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Its four proposed turbines would stand 125 metres tall, around twice the height of the nearby Wallace Monument.But objectors said the site, on the north bank of the River Forth, falls well within the two kilometre buffer zone recommended by the Scottish Government and have expressed concerns over noise, health issues and a detrimental effect on their quality of life.
Around 1000 homes as well as schools are located within two kilometres, along with several designated conservation areas, scheduled ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
Campaigners fear spectacular views to and from the Ochil Hills will be spoilt, and claim their lives may be made a misery by noise and shadow flicker from the turbines. They also fear house prices close to the turbines will subsequently fall.
The Scottish Government's planning policy relating to windfarms says local authorities should consider the historic environment; areas designated for their regional and local landscape or natural heritage value; tourism and recreation interests; and the likely impacts on communities, including long term and significant impact on amenity.It adds: "A separation distance of up to two kilometres between areas of search and the edge of cities, towns and villages is recommended to guide developments to the most appropriate sites and to reduce visual impact, but decisions on individual developments should take in to account specific local circumstances and geography."
Archaeologist Lorna Main, who lives at Dunmore, directly across the river from the proposed development, and represents the local village association, said: "Many people don't realise just how huge these turbines will be. They see them on distant hillsides and they look small when in actual fact they are simply far away."These turbines will be 125 metres tall. There will be a significant noise impact and also shadow flicker from the blades as they turn."There are around 1000 houses within two kilometres of this proposed windfarm in Alloa, Clackmannan and across the River Forth at South Alloa and Dunmore from where they will dominate the skyline before the Ochil Hills.
"These turbines will seriously affect the health of nearby residents of Alloa and Dunmore through audible noise and sub-audible aerodynamic modulation which leads to sleep deprivation and tinnitis in susceptible people.
"It is a totally unacceptable urban wind farm. Clackmannanshire Council is in it for profit and not for the good of the community. Anyone in a house within the 2Km radius should be extremely worried for the well-being of their whole family if this is given permission."
