January 11, 2013
Scotland

Barrhill community fight against planned wind farm

Jan 11 2013 by Jennifer Buchanan, Ayrshire Post | www.ayrshirepost.net

A village community is up in arms after a company applied to build a wind farm 600 metres from homes.

WilloWind Energy want to build eight 126 metre high turbines at Corwar Mains Farm, 5km south east of Barrhill.

The planning application, which includes over 100 documents, has been presented to South Ayrshire Council and is currently being reviewed.

But the proposal has sparked outrage.

Hundreds of online objections have been submitted and dozens of letters sent in to the council insist the turbines are far too close to properties and there has been no consideration for the environment.

There are seven properties located within 900 metres of the giant wind mills.

Kath Miller owns Eldrick boarding kennels, and her home is just 600 metres from the nearest proposed turbine.

She said: “I’ve lived here for 18 years and if this goes ahead there will only be two windows in my house that I won’t see turbines out of.

“But the noise and the flicker will be there all the time, and it will be really stressful for the dogs – it will badly affect my business.”

The village and surrounding area has a population of around 400 people, and it already has two major wind farms surrounding it – Arecleoch which has 60 turbines and Mark Hill which has 28.

And many of the letters of objection say the same thing: “Enough is enough.”

Kath added: “We already have so many turbines here, it’s really getting beyond a joke.

“It has much further reaching affects as well. The environmental impact report they published is a fallacy.

“They say the effect will be minimal but how can it be? We have hawks, owls, bats – all will be impacted by this.”

A WilloWind spokesman said: “WilloWind takes community concerns very seriously, and is well aware of all the pertinent issues raised.

“With regards to turbine noise, shadow flicker and the potential ecological and environmental impact, WilloWind has engaged regularly with all the relevant statutory bodies over these and many other matters, and our site plans have been altered and adjusted accordingly to ensure all of these issues are mitigated.

“WilloWind has also prepared a detailed scoping report, including an environmental impact assessment looking into any potential ecological or environmental impacts. Taking into consideration the findings of this research, and our ongoing discussions with relevant parties, we have been able to repeatedly demonstrate that the Corwar Mains Wind Farm will have minimal impact on the surrounding area and its wildlife.

“WilloWind is also well aware of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan, and we have made every effort to comply fully with the development framework set out by all the relevant councils.

“WilloWind has been very thorough in its evaluation of the Corwar Mains site, and the research clearly demonstrates that the wind farm meets all the criteria and guidelines set out within the plan.

“It is in all our interests to ensure the Corwar Mains Wind farm has minimal negative impact and brings a real and lasting benefit to the local community.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/11/barrhill-community-fight-against-planned-wind-farm/