December 18, 2007
Scotland
Scotland
Wind farms can cause environmental damage, MSPs are being told at a committee.
A retired university professor says the mechanical vibrations transmitted through land-based turbines to the surrounding terrain cause the problem.
Prof Dixie Dean, a former business professor who has also worked in the field of mycology, says the impact will “devastate” the sand, soil and peat in the immediate area.
He claims that the problem has been “completely overlooked” in a submission to Holyrood’s Petition’s Committee.
His petition states: “These vibrations will in time destroy the very fabric of peat, sand and soil for miles around.
“Peat bogs shaken to pieces will be flushed down to pollute streams as fibres disintegrate, collapse and rot.”
But despite attempts to raise the issue with the Scottish Government, his local MSP Richard Lochhead and the Secretary of State for the environment, he claims they all “persistently evade discussing and will not consider the matter”.
It comes the day after a controversial 23-turbine wind farm won approval at Achany in Sutherland after a public inquiry.
Prof Dean is calling for the issue to be taken into account when new onshore wind farm applications are considered.
He is also calling for research to be commissioned into the impact of such vibrations on these habitats and species.
Press Association
18 December 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/18/wind-farms-can-damage-environment/