No contact about Mull Hill windfarm plans
Strathearn Herald, www.strathearnherald.co.uk 20 January 2012
Strathearn Herald, www.strathearnherald.co.uk 20 January 2012
I read with interest Roseanna Cunningham’s comments in the Strathearn Herald, dated January 13, regarding the usage of the money (up to £78,750 per year) to be obtained from Force 9 Energy, should the proposed windfarm be given the go-ahead.
She stated that she had “been in touch with local folk to discuss possible ways in which this money could be spent, to benefit the whole community”.
How “local” is local?
To date no-one has contacted either myself or my husband, to find out our views, as to how this money could be utilised. As we stay very close to where the windfarm is to be situated, I would have thought that, we – along with the very few other homes in close proximity to the proposed wind farm – would have, as a common courtesy, been approached first, for our views. After all we are the ones who have to cope with the added heavy traffic, and deterioration of the Sma’ Glen road, as well as the disruption and noise caused by the wind turbines.
In fact last year from October to March our road (A822) was closed to traffic, albeit you could still go towards Aberfeldy, but this at first, was not the situation, as anyone reading the signs (which we managed to get changed) thought the only way was via the diversion signs to Perth. Hardly assisting us in our normal quieter period. So much for Scottish tourism!
It has been stated on numerous occasions, that the wind farm would bring economic benefits to the local area – we as a business have certainly not benefited. Other than possibly the local bakery or local takeaway at lunch time, I doubt that any local businesses have truly benefited so far.
Moreover we were informed of the same (benefits to local businesses) when the Griffin wind farm and the Beauly to Denny power line schemes were put in place. We, as the only guest house within the Sma’ Glen, could have expected some trade, from these large-scale developments. In both of these cases, not only are they not using local accommodation providers, but we are led to believe that both companies have rented large houses in the Dunkeld and Pitlochry areas, whereby a large number of employees are housed, in a self-catering manner. Hardly assisting “local” businesses.
I look forward to receiving a response and comments to the above.
Nan Waugh
Fendoch Guest House
Sma’ Glen
Crieff.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/20/no-contact-about-mull-hill-windfarm-plans/