August 6, 2013
Scotland

Fife MP backs anti-turbine campaign

By Leeza Clark, 6 August 2013 | www.thecourier.co.uk

A Fife MP has backed a community campaign to protect the countryside.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Thomas Docherty is supporting the campaign led by SPOT Fife – Stop Proliferation Of Turbines – against two proposals.

Partnership for Renewables is behind plans, not yet lodged with the council, for 11 115m (377ft) turbines in Blairadam Forest. Meanwhile REG Windpower has lodged plans for five 110m (360ft) turbines at Outh Muir in the Cleish Hills.

SPOT Fife plans to contact residents within a 5km radius of the sites with a newsletter telling them how to register concerns.

Mr Docherty said: “Clearly many residents have strong concerns about the impact of living under the shadow of these giant wind turbines and about the lack of consultation with local communities who will be affected should the planning application be successful.

“I share these concerns about the impact that large scale turbines have on the landscape.”

SPOT chairman Andrew Turner claimed the Outh Muir application “refused to respect the local policies that it contravenes”.

He alleged PR firm-led community consultations “failed to engage with all but a few of those affected in the area”.

He said it was an “undemocratic and disingenuous approach”.

REG development manager Jim Wood said there had been two three-day rounds of exhibitions in Saline, Kelty, Carnock, Blairhall and Oakley since last October, which were all advertised in the local press.

Leaflets were delivered to more than 12,000 households and politicians were invited.

A community liaison group was established to provide continuing engagement with the local community throughout the development process and has representatives from community councils across west Fife.

“We extended the invitation to community councils in the neighbouring areas and we’ve also been in close contact with residents who live closest to Outh Muir.

“A number of residents have submitted their support for our windfarm to Fife Council and, from our exhibition days, we know there is wider support for renewable energy in west Fife.

“We’ll keep our website updated and we would still like to hear back from residents on how our proposed community fund could benefit the local area.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/06/fife-mp-backs-anti-turbine-campaign/