July 7, 2011
Scotland

Weather monitoring mast for potential windfarm to be installed near Airdrie

by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge, www.acadvertiser.co.uk 6 July 2011

A monitoring mast is to be installed in rural Airdrie to assess the site’s suitability for a future wind farm.

The 60m steel mast will be located half a mile to the west of Waterside Farm on Roughrigg Road, near Longriggend, and will be in place for three years.

It will have five sets of wind-speed measuring apparatus at differing heights to allow Suffolk-based applicants Bolsterstone Wind Power to consider the area’s potential for the future installation of three turbines.

There were no objections to the application for the use of the site, north of Roughrigg reservoir and close to the site of special scientific interest at Lady Bell’s Moss.

Bird flight deflectors are to be fitted to the 28 steel guy wires to help prevent collisions involving sensitive low-flying species, and the developers have also been instructed to carry out a survey of nesting birds.

North Lanarkshire Council are to work with Ofcom to ensure that the mast does not impact on telecoms signals and frequencies crossing the area concerned.

Members of the planning committee gave permission for the mast after learning that its presence would not compromise the greenbelt or local residences.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/07/weather-monitoring-mast-for-potential-windfarm-to-be-installed-near-airdrie/