Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm

[Bertie]

I always find it interesting that those against always have as part of their arguement that it "will be an eyesore for future generations"

I think Bill, if you check all my posts on this thread, I've tried to take a fairly balanced view as I've asked questions and responded to answers. I don't know enough about the industry itself to make a judgement of what benefits it may or may not bring to our community. However I have never once come out in favour for or against the project but have remained consistent in the opinion that it will be detrimental to the landscape. I cannot imagine how, in anyone's view, the siting of 105 wind turbines can be anything else other than an eyesore. Perhaps you can explain how it will enhance the view? It's not a debate about children's futures, the benefits or otherwise of renewables or the future of the planet. I'm sure the earth wouldn't suffer too much from this particular project on this particular location being cancelled or even moved a few miles round the coast.

[EMDEE]

Article in yesterday's Press and Journal:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1898982

[Bertie]

Interesting article EMDEE. Thanks

[Kevin]

The only definitive fact is that, if this project goes ahead, the local scenery and landscape will be an eyesore for future generations.

No Bertie you are wrong,because that also is only your personal opinion.Others obviously share that opinion,but many more do not,and the vast majority are not bothered one way or the other.
I always find it interesting that those against always have as part of their arguement that it "will be an eyesore for future generations".As we all know the children are the future,so what do they think of it?To answer that I can only go on the children I know,and they are taught at school that our planet needs to change to survive.Part of that change is a massive move towards renewable energy sources,which includes wind farms.
When it comes to the crunch,if we do nothing now,there will be no views for future generations because there will be no planet.
Once again this is only my personal view,to which others will agree or disagree.

Bill,

I don't think you will find anyone disagreeing regarding the harnessing of offshore wind power; the disagreement in my eyes just lies in location of such a site in order to minimise negative and maximise positive effects for Kintyre.

The proposed location will harm the sustainable tourism economy surrounding Machrihanish Bay and also jeopardize any further inward investment (like Machrihanish Dunes, Ugadale Hotel etc).

The point of my post yesterday stated that the planned location means that it will bring limited economic benefits of construction, operation and maintenance jobs as it would be on the completely wrong side of the peninsula for Kintyre to gain.

As John S quite rightly stated, the location of the windfarm could be moved to a location (offshore on the south east) from which Kintyre could see economic benefits and reduce the overall visual impact. Then it would be viable to use Campbeltown as the base for operation, maintenance and perhaps part of the construction, thus gaining sustainable economic benefits while minimising any effects on tourism or inward investment.

[bill]

I cannot imagine how, in anyone's view, the siting of 105 wind turbines can be anything else other than an eyesore. Perhaps you can explain how it will enhance the view? It's not a debate about children's futures, the benefits or otherwise of renewables or the future of the planet. I'm sure the earth wouldn't suffer too much from this particular project on this particular location being cancelled or even moved a few miles round the coast.

Sorry you cannot imagine that the siting of 105 wind turbines can be anything else other than an eyesore.No doubt though if you have read all the posts on this thread then you will realise that it is a fact.

[Bertie]

Sorry you cannot imagine that the siting of 105 wind turbines can be anything else other than an eyesore.No doubt though if you have read all the posts on this thread then you will realise that it is a fact.

I'm not being deliberately obtuse Bill nor am I wishing to cause an argument for argument's sake however I'm afraid I don't follow what you're saying in the above statement. I've read the financial and economic arguments regarding the benefits from this venture and I'm more than happy to listen to those but I can't remember anyone writing about the aesthetic value it's going to bring.

[Mary G]

... Moving it to the south east of kintyre would not impact on as many people ...

... the location of the windfarm could be moved to a location (offshore on the south east) from which Kintyre could see economic benefits and reduce the overall visual impact.

Are Kevin and John S saying that the stretch of water off, say, Macharioch and Polliwilline is their preferred site for off-shore turbines? Do they know that such areas being made available by Crown Estates, and that the electricity companies are interested in them?

And what does this say about the value put on the opinions of Southend people as opposed to those from Machrihanish?

[Govangirl]

Personally, I do not support wind farms as an alternative to producing energy.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/mar/25/wind-climate-change

However, I agree that the argument about it being the location that's at question is the important one here. All I know is that I drive past these eyesores every day and I don't apologise for using that vocabulary.
I'm intrigued about Bill's assumption that children would support the development of turbines. I agree that thay have a knowledgeable view of the planet but they also understand that the beauty of a place must not be underestimated. Have they had a say? Could the Grammar School there not hold a debate? Perhaps the two opposing sides could give their views to a group, the students could research it themselves and then take part in a debate: 'This house believes Machrihanish should site 105 turbines' or whatever.
I think you might be surprised Bill.

[bill]

Bertie I am not the only person to have stated their opinion in this thread that they do not see these wind turbines as eyesores.
As stated before,beauty is in the eye of the beholder..one man's meat is another man's poison,as they say.Basically my point is ,if the proposed wind farm is to be built off the coast of Kintyre,then why not Machrihanish ?Why should it be moved round the corner?

I'm intrigued about Bill's assumption that children would support the development of turbines.

Please be kind enough to show me where I have came up with that assumption.

[Govangirl]

Please be kind enough to show me where I have came up with that assumption.

As we all know the children are the future,so what do they think of it?To answer that I can only go on the children I know,and they are taught at school that our planet needs to change to survive.Part of that change is a massive move towards renewable energy sources,which includes wind farms.

My assumption is that children may not necessarily believe that change involves either wind farms OR putting them in places of natural beauty.

[ultraviolet]

I always find it interesting that those against always have as part of their arguement that it "will be an eyesore for future generations".As we all know the children are the future,so what do they think of it?To answer that I can only go on the children I know,and they are taught at school that our planet needs to change to survive.Part of that change is a massive move towards renewable energy sources,which includes wind farms.

Yes, and assumptions and statements based on your residence in England. Do you really think our children (or anyone for that matter) should be subjected to proposals that change one of the most stunning coastlines forever?

I cringe at the mentality of some people who don't even stay in Kintyre who support these proposals.

[Bertie]

As you correctly say Bill, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Unfotunately, in this instance, you are not a beholder, simply an interested contributer observing from a considerable distance. The beholders are the villagers of Machrihanish who, every time they look out of their window or go for a walk or put their washing out will be met with this grotesque vision. I've also no doubt that the children you spoke of have a keen interest in the planet and see renewables as the way forward but if this project was going ahead in one of the natural beauty spots of Corby would they be so keen to embrace it? I think not. It's very easy for you to sit where you are and pass comments like "then why not Machrihanish ?" when it's got absolutely no impact whatsoever on you. In all honesty, if they were proposing this windfarm for Corby, I probably wouldn't give a jot either but neither would I be advocating it's installation in your local forum.

[jaywalker]

Ouch!

[Ship called Dignity]

As you correctly say Bill, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Unfotunately, in this instance, you are not a beholder, simply an interested contributer observing from a considerable distance. The beholders are the villagers of Machrihanish who, every time they look out of their window or go for a walk or put their washing out will be met with this grotesque vision. I've also no doubt that the children you spoke of have a keen interest in the planet and see renewables as the way forward but if this project was going ahead in one of the natural beauty spots of Corby would they be so keen to embrace it? I think not. It's very easy for you to sit where you are and pass comments like "then why not Machrihanish ?" when it's got absolutely no impact whatsoever on you. In all honesty, if they were proposing this windfarm for Corby, I probably wouldn't give a jot either but neither would I be advocating it's installation in your local forum.

Here, here!! Well said Bertie. Was thinking similar today when I was reading Bill's posts! Who needs moderators when we have Bill trailing through evey single post you make on the forum, nit picking comments!

[jdcarra]

As you correctly say Bill, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Unfotunately, in this instance, you are not a beholder, simply an interested contributer observing from a considerable distance. The beholders are the villagers of Machrihanish who, every time they look out of their window or go for a walk or put their washing out will be met with this grotesque vision. I've also no doubt that the children you spoke of have a keen interest in the planet and see renewables as the way forward but if this project was going ahead in one of the natural beauty spots of Corby would they be so keen to embrace it? I think not. It's very easy for you to sit where you are and pass comments like "then why not Machrihanish ?" when it's got absolutely no impact whatsoever on you. In all honesty, if they were proposing this windfarm for Corby, I probably wouldn't give a jot either but neither would I be advocating it's installation in your local forum.

Here, here!! Well said Bertie. Was thinking similar today when I was reading Bill's posts! Who needs moderators when we have Bill trailing through evey single post you make on the forum, nit picking comments!

And I'll second that.

Just read Eddie Maguire/John McGlynns letter in the Courier of their total opposition to the windfarm which may affect thousands of migrating seabirds and also other marine life in that area.