June 16, 2017
Scotland

Fed-up families hit out over Nielston wind farm

Jonathon Reilly, Junior Reporter | Barrhead News | www.barrheadnews.com

Neilston residents have claimed complaints about noise pollution at the village’s wind farm are being ignored by council chiefs.

According to Neilston Community Council (NCC), the concerns of those living in both Neilston and neighbouring Uplawmoor have been “either ignored or cursorily dismissed” for four years.

It is claimed that East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) at first failed to investigate fears that excessive wind turbine noise was breaching limits set out in planning consent.

Complaints over turbine shadow flicker – caused when rotating wind turbine blades cast shadows through constrained openings such as windows – were also flagged up to the council.

Campaigners claim that flicker results in extreme stress for some people and can cause headaches.

NCC also outlined how it was asked, along with local councillors, to help the residents’ case but that “any representations by the community council fell on deaf ears”.

It’s understood that fed-up residents commissioned a noise expert at their own expense, who supported their case.

Homeowners also asked ERC to draft in a consultant of its own and it’s believed it was confirmed that the cumulative noise from adjacent turbines and those of Neilston wind farm exceeded the permitted level by up to nine decibels.

Aileen Jackson, a complainant and owner of nearby Knockglass Farm, in Uplawmoor, said: “It is a huge exceedance. Complaints were made for four years and have been ignored.

“Even if the noise had not turned out to be breaching the conditions, East Renfrewshire Council has an obligation to protect their citizens by investigating complaints – and they didn’t.”

Ms Jackson also raised further concerns over planning permission which has been granted for more turbines close to the village.

She continued: “There are three turbines in the immediate area which have planning permission but are not yet constructed. One of them is in the field beside the Neilston wind farm.

“If this turbine in particular is commissioned, it will cause noise limits to be exceeded even further. The council must now reconsider the planning consent.”

However, the council has defended its position and rejected NCC’s suggestions that it has not looked into the matter thoroughly.

A spokesman for ERC said: “An independent specialist consultant carried out noise recordings in the area to analyse any potential issues.

“We received the final report on May 11 and are now considering what future steps, if any, are required. The finalised report was shared with a resident who requested it.”

Last month, Neilston Development Trust sold its 28 per cent stake in the village’s wind farm to The Renewables Infrastructure Group.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/06/16/fed-up-families-hit-out-over-nielston-wind-farm/