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Wind turbines plan for Ethiebeaton Farm
Credit: By Grant Smith, The Courier, www.thecourier.co.uk 22 March 2011 ~~
A farmer is hoping to build a pair of 150-foot-high wind turbines on his land near Broughty Ferry.
David Reid has lodged a planning application with Dundee City Council for the development at the south-west corner of Ethiebeaton Farm.
The turbines are predicted to generate around 1.5 megawatts of electricity per year, the equivalent of the energy needs of 350 households.
A report prepared by his consultant states that the nearest home is 480 metres away so the development will not create problems through noise or shadow flicker.
Wind turbines can affect airport radar, but Dundee airport and the Civil Aviation Authority have indicated they will not oppose the plans.
However, it is thought that the Ministry of Defence may object in case the turbines cause “clutter” on radar screens at RAF Leuchars.
The consultant’s report states, “Clutter is classed as anything showing on the radar screen other than aircraft.
“Wind farms can cause blank spots where the radar cannot detect aircraft because of the clutter.
“The potential area of blank spot from a development of this size is negligible and would not realistically interfere with the operation of the radar at RAF Leuchars.”
Explaining the background to the proposal, he says, “The area has a reasonably high wind speed of about 7.1 metres per second making it well suited to wind energy production.
“The generation of energy is an alternative use for farmland, taking up little land area but reducing the farm’s reliance on fossil fuel – generated electricity. Cash flow of the business will be improved, thus improving economic viability.”
The farm, which Mr Reid has run for 16 years, grows potatoes, barley and wheat.
The electricity produced by the turbines would meet its needs with surplus to sell and reduce the farm’s carbon footprint.
The report adds, “In planning the layout of the site every effort was made to ensure the proposed wind turbines and associated construction is positioned such that impacts on aircraft, radar, microwave links, the landscape, noise receptors, the local ecology and archaeological sites were avoided or minimised.”
Construction, including preparing the site, would 10 to 20 weeks to complete, but work would be limited to daytime hours to minimise disruption to neighbours.
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