Action group will oppose Coldingham windfarm plan 

The campaign to stop a potential windfarm development in Berwickshire has stepped up with the formation of an action group.

Coldingham STAG ““ Stop the Turbines Action Group- has been formed in a bid to halt the building of 22 turbines on Coldingham Moor.

The group say the Moor is simply the wrong location for a wind farm and the proposals by PM Renewables (PMR) would be devastating if they were allowed to proceed.

At a recent meeting hosted by Coldingham Community Council, 100 residents voted overwhelmingly against the wind farm.

Raquel Simpson, of Templehall House, Coldingham, said: “PMR should listen to the community and drop these plans. Apart from anything else the scheme is dangerous.

“The developers plan to put 76-metre high turbines on either side of the A1107, which is a designated tourist route.

“People would be driving though the middle of them and bound to get distracted by the movement or shadow flicker. They will also be visible from the A1 ““ a fast road that is already dangerous.”

The construction of the site is estimated to take 11-14 months.

Campaigner George Matthews of Burnside said: ‘The area is too small for the number of turbines proposed. Coldingham Moor is not an empty desolate space.

“It is home to many people. The turbines will be seen from the windows of all the dwellings on the moor and will have a domineering effect. The moor is a very quiet environment, with only the sounds of bleating sheep and bird song.

“This will be replaced by underlying mechanical noise from turbine engines day and night.

“People living close to other windfarms are already reported to be renting alternative homes to sleep in due to oppressive turbine noise ““ why should we have to suffer this?”

Raquel added: “Everyone would suffer. Developers say almost 12,000 vehicle loads ““ including 9,000 heavy goods vehicles – will be required.

“These will pass our homes daily, clogging and polluting our small roads.

“Every resident and tourist in Coldingham and many of those in Reston, Eyemouth, Ayton, St Abbs and surrounding areas will be affected.’

Campaigners fear the plans will also be destructive to the environment.

The site will border two sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and be less than 2.5km from St Abbs Head.

Developers admit birds will be killed by flying into turbines. Ancient hedgerows, trees, flora and fauna will all be destroyed to enable the enormous turbines to be transported to the site, while the ‘Cockit Hat’ ““ a nature walk for visitors and residents for generations”“ will be totally destroyed to make an access road.

Kenryck Lloyd-Jones, a founding member of the group, said: ‘Developers claim these wind farms are the answer to green energy. They are not.

The amount of energy they produce is far outweighed by the destructive impact they have on the environment.”

STAG are urging people to write to Scottish Borders Council to register their objections to the plan before it is too late. These can be sent to: Alistair Maclean, Development and Planning, Scottish Borders Council, 8 Newtown St, Duns, TD11 3DT or e-mail AMacLean@scotborders.gov.uk
The group are also putting together a petition to present to the council.

If you would like to sign the petition or join the group please e-mail info@coldinghamstag.org.uk or call 07931 909514.

By Nan MacFarlane

berwickshiretoday.co.uk

9 May 2007