January 17, 2014
Scotland

Turbine objectors targeted

The Galloway Gazette | 17 January 2014 | www.gallowaygazette.co.uk

People who have publicly raised concerns over plans for wind farms uncomfortably close to their Wigtownshire homes have been targeted with hate mail.

Dr Angela Armstrong and her husband Andrew Shiells, of Barrachan Home Farm, have received separate letters signed “Stranraer Wind Farm Enthusiasts” calling the couple “terrorists” and telling them to remove anti-wind farm signage on their property before they are sued.

The couple, who have been proactive in raising awareness of plans by EDF Energy to build 18 turbines at Airriequhillart, contacted police, who arrived following a third batch of post on Wednesday and bagged the letters as evidence.

The letters refer to various local subjects, such as signage on a remote stretch of road, which led the couple to believe they are from someone closer to home than Stranraer.

Andrew said: “One horrible aspect of the Scottish government’s fascination with turbines has been how it splits communities. We shouldn’t be bullied for trying to save our and our neighbours’ homes from being ruined in order that a huge foreign firm and a bunch of mainly absentee landlords can get rick quick at our expense.”

Several scrawly notes have arrived at the home of Glenluce woman Anne Lynch, who has voiced her concerns over the nearby Glenchamber wind farm through local media. Anne said she isn’t scared by the letters but that they are particularly offensive.

She said: “I suppose when you write to a newspaper like I do, and put your name to it, you have to expect that this could happen. But what I would say to this person is why not write a reply to that paper for all to see, and give your own name rather than direct correspondence to individual homes?”

One of the envelopes in which the letters to Angela and Andrew arrived was addressed to “Angela Armstrong Cupid Stunt, Anti Wind Farm Protester and Agitator.” Anne’s letter was addressed in the same offensive manner.

Angela and Andrew’s letters claim local people want more wind farms and fracking, and ask the couple to stop fighting with Port William Community Council, a reference to their opposition to a turbine planned for Mochrum which resulted in revelations about members of the CC having vested interests.

The letter refers to the Stranraer Wind Farm Enthusiasts having 1200 members “and counting”, and Angela posted the letters online in a bid to trace the author. After they went live, several anti-wind farm groups contacted the Gazette to point out they had no connection to the letters.

If you have information, contact police on 101.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/01/17/turbine-objectors-targeted/