Planners oppose windfarm at Ballindalloch
Ballindalloch wind farm proposals look set to be decided next week, around two years after the controversial plans were first unveiled.
Stirling Council planners are recommending refusal of the application by Npower Renewables.
Stirling Council’s planning panel will meet on Thursday to consider whether to support their officials’ stance or approve the bid.
The company wants to build nine turbines at Ballindalloch Muir, south of Buchlyvie and north-east of Balfron.
The proposal has proved highly controversial, sparking major debate, public meetings and the launch of the EVAG (Endrick Valley Action Group) campaign against the development.
The campaigners claim the wind farm would be a blot on the landscape, create a noise nuisance and traffic disturbance, affect house prices and be detrimental to wildlife.
EVAG has said it will present a “comprehensive case based on its own substantive written objection and those of other objectors” at Thursday’s panel hearing.
Npower Renewables has consistently denied claims about the impact the development would have, saying it has followed strict guidelines and legislation and adhered to stringent criteria when drawing up the plans.
It has also said it carried out exten-sive consultations with locals from the outset.
However, its plans for Ballindalloch have been dealt a series of blows, including objections from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Stirling MP Anne McGuire.
The project was also among a number of windfarm proposals deemed unsuitable in a study commissioned by Stirling Council, SNH and the national park.
by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday
6 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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