March 18, 2014
Scotland

Lochgelly campaigners critical of council’s turbine stance

Central Fife Times & Advertiser | Published: 17 Mar 2014 | www.centralfifetimes.com

A Lochgelly campaign group is critical of Fife Council’s plans to examine putting turbines up in some 30 sites across the Kingdom.

Communities across Fife are getting the chance to talk to Fife Council about their proposals to develop wind turbines and an information event is to be held at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre on Monday 17th March.

The meeting will give local people a first the chance to talk to council officers about general project information as well as find out more about the potential sites being investigated at this early stage.

No detailed information on specific sites is available at this stage as further detailed work has still to be carried out but those attending the events will be able to find out what sites are being investigated and what the next steps are.

A series of meetings have already taken place with local councillors in each area and further meetings will be arranged for locals if sites are progressed onto the next stage.

But Lochgelly resident and secretary of Loch of Shining Waters, James Glen, is unhappy at the proposals as are members of the group.

He said, “Fife Council are currently consulting communities on their proposed plans for wind turbines across 26 sites which includes areas of Central Fife.

“Unknown to many residents, Fife Council are now seeking to extend their wind turbine plans by adding an additional 30 sites for wind turbine development which if any are given the go ahead, will be directly linked to the national grid and not used to power Fife Council buildings.

“As a group we are very concerned that the latest plans do not include feasibility studies or any other in-depth information, like turbine heights, number of turbines, etc. which renders any public consultation pointless as the information is not available to make any serious or relevant response”.

He added, “This latest admission also has some serious concerns that need to be addressed, specifically the business case for all their turbine proposals, and most importantly, can the Fife tax payer afford the turbine developments considering we are in the midst of facing severe and ongoing cuts to the majority of our public services.

“Before any consultation takes place, Fife Council need to provide feasibility studies for all the sites being examined, detailed plans of model of turbine, location and heights of the turbines, and a robust business case. Without these, any consultation is just a further waste of tax payers’ money, that serves no real purpose as residents will not be able to be provided with real answers to address their concerns.”

The local authority contends that the proposals have the potential to generate millions of pounds at a time of huge financial challenge and increasing energy bills for the organisation. Forecasts suggest the potential for the creation of £28.3 million net income and a saving of 83,600 tonnes of carbon emissions over a twenty year period.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/03/18/lochgelly-campaigners-critical-of-councils-turbine-stance/