July 14, 2012
Scotland

Windfarm talks are all hot air, say protesters

Richard Watt | The Courier | 14 July 2012

Protesters have slammed the results of talks on windfarm plans as “misleading.”

In December, Eurowind UK Ltd announced proposals for 17 turbines at Nathro Hill, near Brechin. The company set up for the project will apply to Scottish ministers for consent this month.

Last week, the firm last week spoke optimistically about exhibitions held in Brechin and Lethnot.

A consultant acting for Eurowind UK said the firm found the outcome of discussions “valuable”.

However, a representative of anti-turbine lobby Stop Windfarms At Nathro (Swan) has suggested the proposals are “threatening to the jewels of Angus” – its glens.

The Swan spokesman said: “The so-called public consultation of which Eurowind boast has not been conducted in a comprehensive or reliable manner.

“I live in Glen Lethnot, in one of the houses closest to the proposed development. I have not been visited by Eurowind once, nor written to.

“Many of the residents in Glen Lethnot are not even aware the proposed windfarm is no more than a proposal and that an application has not yet even been submitted, let alone approved, or that objection to the proposal is an option open to them.

“The community have been misled and divided by unspecific references to a large sum of financial compensation if the wind farm goes ahead and to other misleading statements by the developer.”

Eurowind UK, through its subsidiary Nathro Hill Wind Farm Ltd, proposes what it describes as a “significant” community benefit investment for the area, should consent be given.

This equates to £3.5K per MW installed capacity, which could generate more than £200,000 per year (index linked), depending on final installed capacity.

Dr Eleanor Logan from renewable energy consultancy LoganPM said: “We respect that this is a significant proposal for this area so we did send a leaflet and questionnaire to more than 600 households.

“For those living in the Glen Lethnot area we also included a letter offering a face to face meeting.

“We know this reached households as people did call us to take up the offer.

“Indeed, many people brought their leaflets and questionnaires to the public meetings we held in Lethnot and Brechin.

“More recently, Lethnot residents requested that Eurowind come and meet with them to answer further queries.

“This was organised by Lethnot residents themselves and had a strong turnout.

“We will continue to be available to all local people, who can contact us via the website nathrohillwindfarm.co.uk where we will continue to post up to date information.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/14/windfarm-talks-are-all-hot-air-say-protesters/