September 22, 2011
Scotland

GlaxoSmithKline faces public to outline case for wind turbines at Montrose

By Graeme Bletcher, The Courier, www.thecourier.co.uk 22 September 2011

Representatives from GlaxoSmithKline have delivered a public presentation on a wind turbine proposal for Montrose.

They addressed members of Ferryden Community Council as part of a consultation on an £8 million plan for two 400ft towers at the Cobden Street factory.

The plan has faced opposition, with an online petition against the development attracting around 140 signatures.

Two GSK officials gave an overview of the renewable energy industry at the meeting on Tuesday night and explained why the firm opted for wind power.

Questions on the possible visual impact, noise and impact on property prices were among the concerns to come from the public gallery.

A spokesman for GSK said: “It was a fairly good natured meeting and people who did attend had come along to find out more of the details about the proposal.

“Some of those in attendance couldn’t make the public exhibition held last week so it was a good opportunity to get more information.”

One representative spoke about the dilemmas faced by society in terms of climate change, while the other talked more specifically about GSK and the aim to be 100% carbon neutral at the Montrose site.

If approved, the towers would be taller than the pair at the Michelin tyre plant in Dundee. GSK says they would generate enough electricity to make the site self-sufficient and deliver excess to the National Grid.

GSK has committed to a year’s worth of environmental impact assessments and tracking of migratory birds’ flight paths. It also needs to collect wind data over a year and has a meteorological mast on site gathering information.

More than 180 people viewed details of GSK’s proposals last week during a consultation exercise in Montrose.

In a separate scheme, the company has proposed siting 15 tidal turbines under the South Esk bridge.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/22/glaxosmithkline-faces-public-to-outline-case-for-wind-turbines-at-montrose/