May 25, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Protesters have torn apart a statement made by a windfarm developer in which claims were made about their protests.
Peter Evans and Norman Thompson, who are currently preparing a protest march to the Ochils in two weeks, say claims made by Wind Prospect are wrong.
It comes after the company, which is looking to build a 13-turbine windfarm at Burnfoot Hill in the Ochils, released a statement praising Wee County councillors as “courageous” for approving the scheme.
The statement also hit out at the men for their “surprising” comments which were made after the consultation had ended and laid out why the windfarm was good for the environment and the Wee County.
But, Mr Evans hit back that he had voiced his concerns along with the Friends of the Ochils group which responded to Clackmannanshire Council during consultations.
Mr Thompson added: “If anyone’s surprised in this, it’s me. I spoke to Sarah Dooley and Colin Williams from Wind Prospect personally and stood up at the meeting in Tillicoultry. “It appears they have forgotten about that.”
Wind Prospect’s statment also included its reasons for siting the wind farm at Burnfoot Hill and that the planning approval was helping people do their bit for the planet.
But, he made it clear that he and Mr Evans are not anti-renewable energy and would actually back such schemes if they were right for the area.
Mr Evans said: “No one is arguing that doing nothing is not an option in relation to climate change. Hill walkers are perhaps more conscious of that than anyone, since they notice changes.
“What those of us against upland wind farms contend is that there are other, much less intrusive ways of generating renewable energy without desecrating landscapes where thousands of people seek recreation.”
Mr Thompson said he felt that rather than the decision being courageous, it would have been better to hold off the application until the conclusion of four public inquiries into windfarm schemes nearby.
He told the Observer: “Taking such an approach would have been far better than acting alone, allowing evidence to be considered on reflection of the conclusion of these four public inquiries. Instead, we’ve got the windfarm against rising evidence that they are not as effective as we’re led to believe.”
The windfarm was approved by Clackmannanshire Council in March. Further consents are now needed to provide access to the site and infrastructure. These are still to be decided upon.
The pair are inviting windfarm protesters from all over Scotland to meet in Tillicoultry for speeches and a follow-up walk to the proposed site of the windfarm on June 3.
The meeting is in the Devonvale Hall from 10am. The walk to Burnfoot Hill will be held afterwards.
Stirling Observer
25 May 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/05/25/ill-wind-blows-for-protesters/