August 10, 2007
Scotland

Have your say

Is a community windfarm above Selkirk on Peat Law a good idea and worth a more detailed study … or should it be strangled at birth?

These are the questions which will concentrate the minds of townsfolk who attend a public meeting next Thursday, August 16.

Organised by the community council and under the chairmanship of former Liberal leader Sir David Steel, it will take place in the Victoria Halls at 7pm.

This week, community council chairman Dr Lindsay Neil called for a large turnout at the meeting, promising: “Everyone will be allowed their say.”

Dr Neil wants the gathering to consider a £1,000 pre-feasibility study which was commissioned by him, on behalf of the Selkirk Regeneration Group (SRG).

That report, charged to look at optimum windfarm sites on common good land, selected the North Common and Linglie Farm as the preferred site for a three or four turbine facility.

The consultants also estimated the sale of power to the national grid could yield up to £1.75million a year.

“If this came to fruition, it would be the first community windfarm in the south of Scotland,” said Dr Neil, who has been criticised for not consulting with SRG colleagues before ordering the study which was underwritten by the Energy Savings Trust.

But he has justified his actions, claiming: “Surely any group concerned with town regeneration has a duty to consider how to maximise income from common good assets.”

Next Thursday after an introduction from Dr Neil, a talk on community windfarms and their impact will be delivered by Kevin Dickson, of the Highlands & Islands Company.

Also speaking and answering questions will be Jason Leon of the Energy Savings Trust.

An open forum will follow.

Selkirk Weekend Advertiser

10 August 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/10/have-your-say-2/