November 24, 2010
Scotland

Minor changes made to windfarm plans

By Jamie MacDonald, Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser, www.alloaadvertiser.com 24 November 2010

Proposals for four giant wind turbines to be sited at Forthbank in Alloa went on display to the public for a final time at Alloa Academy on Thursday.

The plans, which have now been submitted to Clackmannanshire Council for approval, gave those attending the chance to inspect the development for themselves and discuss its implications with staff from Partnerships for Renewables (PfR).

It is anticipated that the turbines would save 11,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being produced per annum and provide enough energy to power 5710 households.

The developers say only minor amendments have been made to the original proposal that was on display in the Bowmar Centre in July.

Comments can still be made on the 125-metre towers, however, via the planning section of Clacksweb.org.uk, the council’s website.

Khalid Hussain, project developer for PfR, told the Advertiser, “The proposal is virtually the same. We have consulted all the agencies, such as RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage, and incorporated their feedback into the design.

“The layout has changed slightly to incorporate the views of telecoms companies so it won’t interfere with their signal.”

The placement of one of the turbines has been moved by 25 metres after Orange had raised concerns that the rotors would cause a disturbance to their customers.

Craig Mullen, a communication officer for PfR, said, “We have had more people from the Airth side of the river in touch worried about the noise.

“We have taken background noise checks from several locations, including Riverside View, and it was well within the guidelines set out by ESTU.”

Laws regulating windfarms state that noise from turbines should be no more than five decibels above existing background noise levels.

A summary of the development states that according to SNH there will be “no significant” effects on sensitive bird species in the area but it is estimated that 55 pink-footed geese will collide with the turbines each year.

PfR state “it is likely that this figure represents an over estimate” and add that the figure is less than one per cent of the number of that type of goose that annually winters in the Firth of Forth.

Local councillor Kenny Earle attended the event and said, “Windfarms are the thing of the future. We all realise resources are running out and we have to look to other areas.

“If there is one thing we don’t have a shortage of it’s wind, personally I think it’s the way we have to go.

“Some local residents have concerns over noise, I’m satisfied that a buffer of 500 metres will negate that and noise generated will blend in.

“Concerns were raised over TV reception and again I’m satisfied these issues have been looked at and any mitigation measures will be put in place.”