Skye is the limit, so please save our island from more giant wind turbines 

Sir, – My name is Richard Whatley, I am a self-employed joiner born and bred in Edinbane, Skye.

NEGATIVE OUTLOOK: The Upper Edinbane area of Skye.

I would like to express my objection to the Ben Aketil windfarm repowering for the following reasons:

Negative visual impact:

Crazy to have 200-metre turbines anywhere in Scotland or the Highlands, let alone Skye, one of the most beautifuI islands in the world that Is our home. Why not repower them to the same size as is already there?

Please don’t allow our home to be spoiled. It would be shockingly irresponsible to do so.

Negative environmental impact:

Polluting the environment rather than being good for the environment. From digging up the moor, disturbing water courses, forestry, to giant concrete pads and masses of unnecessary pollution from transportation etc.

Negative impact on humans and wildlife:

The huge amount of noise from big turbines is very dan1nging to people’s mental health and to birds and wildlife.

Also, there has already been a huge amount of stress caused to local people by poorly conducted applications such as this.

None, or ‘very little community benefit with no community ownership:

Community should get at least 5% of any benefits. as stated by the Scottish Government. Local folk should also get free power.

I believe we should be doing these things ourselves, for the communities and by communities, on a small scale. In a responsible and sustainable manner. Not mass greenwashing, which is what this is.

If thought about and planned properly, we could have partial or full community ownerships, smaller developments that suit us. This would be a positive future for Skye.

Negative forceful industrialisation:

Like the Highland Clearances where the people have no say.

This has already happened on Skye with other projects, fast-tracked through an inadequate planning system.

If this goes through it would open the floodgates for all the other crazy applications and proposals In the pipelioe. Help stop it now before It is too late.

Shockingly bad public consultation:

This application and others are disgracefully handled.

I believe locals should have much more time, say and prior warning as to what happens on our island. We should surely get the lion’s share of any benefits as would have to live with them.

Lack of progressive thinking and planning:

Skye and the Highlands have been very slow to move for community ownership and partial community ownership. This has been done successfully on many islands and in rural communities. Where the decisions are made for us and by us, not to us. This is the way forward for a positive future.

Damage to roads:

Heavy transportation would jam up and damage already knackered roads.

Devaluing house prices:

This has happened elsewhere and would surely need to be considered and compensated for adequately, like at least 20% of the valuation.

Inadequate planning procedure:

As stated above, it is not fit for purpose as is. Certainly doesn’t suit the locals.

Disrupting flight paths:

As a member of Skye Mountain Rescue, I think this would affect the saving of lives as the coastguard chopper would have to flyyaround or over. Same goes for the air ambulance.

Please don’t allow this to happen on Skye. We don’t need or want them here. We already produce enough power from the existing turbines, so we are already doing our bit to help. Surely small-scale community-led projects are the way forward.

I call for a halt to all of these type of applications before it it too late, including the Ben Sca one which has been fast-tracked through already, and to the upgrade of the power line pylons. This is so there can be full public consultation done properly at length before it Is too late.

Richard Whatley,
Skye.