January 5, 2011
Scotland

Kiltarlity residents rally to fight plan for windfarm

By Nichola Rutherford, The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 1 January 2011

Campaigners against a proposed windfarm near Kiltarlity will hold a public meeting in the village on Saturday.

Druim Ba Sustainable Energy (DBSE) want to erect a maximum of 28 turbines, up to 492ft, on the Blairmore Estate, Glen Convinth, off the A833 Kiltarlity-Drumnadrochit road.

The firm are currently consulting local communities on their proposals but if they get the go-ahead, it could be the first of a series of windfarms in the area.

Yesterday, it emerged that Falk Renewables are looking at a site at Breakachy, near Beauly, though its plans are at a very early stage.

Company spokesman Alasdair MacPherson said: “Falk Renewables carries out numerous feasibility studies and desktop assessments of sites before deciding which ones to progress.

“If we do decide to take this site forward into the planning process then the first thing we would do is to carry out public consultation in the local community.”

A meeting led by campaigners against the Druim Ba windfarm will be held at Kiltarlity Village Hall on Saturday from 11am. It is understood that Druim Ba representatives will not be allowed to speak at the meeting.

In October consultation meetings led by DBSE were held in local community halls, outlining their plans for the windfarm.

The turbines could be among the tallest in Scotland if they get planning permission, but DBSE claim the project could create about 100 jobs for local people during the construction phase.

Company directors claim local communities, including Kiltarlity and Abriachan, could benefit from a fund of £8million if the project gets the go-ahead, and after 25 years the site would be restored to its original state.

In a leaflet advertising the Kiltarlity meeting to the local community, campaigners said: “At this meeting you will be able to see for yourself how this will affect the area you live in, the environment and the economy of this region. We urge you to attend.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/05/kiltarlity-residents-rally-to-fight-plan-for-windfarm/