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Backlash over plan for giant wind turbines at Glenmoriston
Credit: Written by Kyle Walker | Highland News | 24/10/2013 | www.highland-news.co.uk ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
Angry residents have launched a campaign to stop a controversial wind farm with 415ft high turbines being built in their picturesque glen.
The proposal, by German energy group E.ON, would lead to up to 124 turbines being built on the south side of Glenmoriston, one of the main tourist routes to the Isle of Skye.
However, locals have expressed outrage at the plan and are organising protests against the development.
With 150 signed-up supporters already, the campaign in the remote community is taking shape as 10ft protest banners appear along the length of the glen from Loch Ness and Invermoriston to Dalchreichart, 10 miles further west.
Campaigner Ken Brown claims that people in the community are “fed up” with subsidising wind farms and that anger is growing in Glenmoriston.
He said: “We are encouraged by the fact that day by day more people are joining the campaign and are confident that we will soon represent a large proportion of the community. E.ON have really ruffled feathers and we’re not going to put up with them any more.”
Gerry Worth, owner of the Redburn Cafe in Dundreggan, who hosted the campaign launch yesterday (Wednesday), said: “If it were to go ahead, this wind farm would have a devastating effect on our business and on others along the route to Skye. We have already had expressions of serious concern from businesses on the island and elsewhere.”
Resident Lisa Lloyd described the proposal as being “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.
She said: “There are already operational and consented wind farms on either side of this beautiful glen but this additional one would completely dominate the landscape for miles around.”
Locals were invited by E.ON to take part in a consultation last month to discuss the initial layout and any problems.
The company says it is sensitive to residents’ concerns.
A spokesman added: “We recognise that people and interest groups living, working and using the area on a regular basis have a wealth of knowledge and may be able to identify issues affecting the proposed wind farm that statutory consultees are not aware of.
“We believe that our approach to consultation results in wind farms that are sensitively designed and bring benefits to the area.”
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