June 24, 2008
Letters, Scotland

Devastating impact of turbines

I read with interest the front page piece on ‘Power to the People’ (PA, June 10) and hope that the Rev. McFadzean, of Bankfoot, may not be aware of the devastating impact this windfarm proposal will have on most of Perthshire.

AMEC are a substantial construction company and their generous offer of community funds to support Bankfoot is undoubtedly sincerely motivated!

It puzzles me somewhat that the same generous offer of community funds are not being proffered to the Parish and community of Dunkeld and Strathbraan that this 14 Turbine scheme will affect most…both in terms of visual impact as well as disruption involving large scale groundworks machinery, cement batching on the River Braan and never-ending construction traffic moving up and down the A822.

We should take the view of the RSPB, (because EU protected birds like red kites, golden eagles and hen harriers are at severe risk) and SNH (who believe that the impact of Logiealmond on its own OR the cumulative impact of the approved Griffin Windfarm coupled with Logiealmond ‘can never be mitigated’).

A 14-turbine scheme will affect the tourist industry and all people travelling to Perthshire from all points north, south, east and west – and the last thing this area needs is a large-scale reduction in visitor numbers that will affect all the local trade, pubs, restaurants and hotels.

Remember, too, that the visual impact of the Logiealmond Windfarm will have a severe effect on the price of property.

I should imagine that the general house owning public would like to see if AMEC’s purse would stretch to covering the loss of equity that they will all suffer as a consequence.

The Community Fund would barely cover the loss for one house, let alone the whole community.

Whilst the Government has just approved 7000 turbine schemes out at sea, don’t we really think that 14 turbines are rather irrelevant?

They will despoil the national heritage of our beautiful landscape without actually delivering sufficient energy to make it worthwhile?

Bear in mind, of course, that the Griffin 68-turbine windfarm has had government approval and surely that, along with Drumderg, Greenknowes and the rest, are enough for Perthshire to contribute?

The cynical offer of funds by AMEC to the Bankfoot community by way of gaining support prior to the council hearing is a dubious way for big business to operate and does little for AMEC s moral credentials

I hope that the community of Bankfoot – and its minister – will support us in our attempt to keep the 14 turbines off our community and parish land and, at the same time, safeguard the price of their property.

I also hope that the ‘ viewing platform looking out to the stunning scenery’ was not really including the industrial landscape that the Rev. Iain McFadzean is trying to paint for us all.

Andrew Robertson,

Amulree and Strathbraan Windfarm Action Group (ASWAG)

Perthshire Advertiser

24 June 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/06/24/devastating-impact-of-turbines/