July 23, 2019
Scotland

Family ready to walk away if development approved

The Press and Journal |

Community benefit will not sweeten the pill for some residents directly affected by the Golticlay development.

One family say they will walk away from everything they love if it is approved.

Janet and Peter Cowin, and Janet’s sister Joanne Bowd, moved to Caithness eight years ago from the Peak District.

For many years the family, all now in their 60s, had been dreaming about the prospect of new life under the huge skies and open Caithness.

They established their home in Roster, investing in the house and garden, with all three working as crafters to sustain their dream.

Mrs Cowin said: “In the Peak District we lived in a valley where you didn’t see daylight because of the high peaks all the way round.

“We always intended to come somewhere with an expansive view and big skies and just lots of emptiness.

“Golticlay will be on the ridge right opposite our house, it will be overbearing landscapes of and overpowering and we’ll see it from every room in the house.

“We are part of an action group that has objected, and we’re hoping it will be turned down, but I can’t say we’re confident.

“We feel under threat by it all and, yes, I would leave.

“We came here with the intention of never moving, we’re going to die here basically, but with the upset this has caused, if we could afford to move, I’m sorry to say we would actually leave.

“And we don’t want to leave Caithness – it took us 30 years to get here.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/07/23/family-ready-to-walk-away-if-development-approved/