Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm

[wizzie]

I have just really woken up to the fact that this project just might go ahead. I'm exhausted just reading all the views on this subject, saddened as well as I thought the shoreline off the West coast of Kintyre would be protected for ever. I have lived in Machrihanish for most of my life and the thought of not being able to look out my window and admire the fantastic views of Rathlan, Ireland, Islay and Jura well it fills me with dread. If they have to build them why can't they place them 20 miles or more off shore?

[S6MMF]

Jowet63

The intention of my post was to provide information that seemed to be lacking in the majority of the threads….to show as well as negatives there can be a positive spin with this situation.

Yes the Solway project has less turbines in a smaller area, I’m not disputing that, I’m pointing out that the monies generated for the community funds are based on MW hrs output so infact as the Kintyre population is smaller and the proposed Machrihanish windfarm is bigger the benefits to the community fund will be greater………. Incidentally the Solway project is 6KM offshore, not 9-11KM as you stated and has similar panoramic views. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’m sure the people of the Dumfries & Galloway coast and the Cumbrian coast regard their view as important as you do, so comparing the views is irrelevant to this discussion.

BTW - build cost are build costs, they go on constructing the project and are never intended for community investment. Community investment comes after build and is generated from output per MW hrs.

Compo - yes D&G did get £50,000, so did Cumbria and they will continue to do so for the next ten years. Maybe Kintyre might have to share with Antrim?

You’re correct the Solway project turbines and bases were indeed made in Belguim, and Denmark not Campbeltown due to the fact that these components were not manufactured in Campbeltown and never had been. Simply if the shop doesn’t sell it/stock it you can’t buy it!

I’m not posting to pick an argument, my intention is to give a few facts some people might be unaware of (I’m not an ambassador for offshore windfarms). If this project is to go ahead it would be of benefit for all concerned to arm themselves with all the information so that the community does not miss out on any potential investment due to lack of knowledge of the obligations of the power company should have to the local community. It would be a shame to focus all this enthusiasm on fighting a (probably) losing battle, when it could be used to develop a plan of what can be gained and how to maximise this gain.

[mcpherson35]

This area is one of, if not the best, scenic spots in Britain. If you subscribe to the idea that the inclusion of a field of metal whirring monsters amongst this is horrendous, then I would hope we are in this for the long haul together.

I don't accept that this is fait accompli. There must be more to be done.

If this leads to full time and sustainable employment for a significant number of people then are these 'guaranteed' jobs mentioned somewhere, do they have a percentage of apprenticeships etc. How will the local tourism be compensated etc.

I don't remember Paul signing 'the long and windturbine road'.

[Jock Strap]

Maganru
Re the West Road, I have driven to Southend several times this year and the drive just gets better and better. I have absolutely no issues with the road and find the entire drive a pleasure, and have done during the 36 years years I have been living away. How on earth could you improve on it anyway? I now find myself stopping at different points just to look and take photos. The journey is different every single time I make it and it's all the better for that.

I'm sure over your past 36 years you must have noticed this getting worse, any way it's good to see you still keep coming back :D

S6MMF - Obviously far too young to remember the road then? In 36 years the road has vastly improved! And in fact from start to finish! At the start, the road round Loch Lomond has improved ten fold and to end you obviously can't recall the stretch between Westport and Bellochantuy which is now a superb part of road!

The road to Kintyre is arguably one of most wonderful roads anyone can drive ANYWHERE in the world - even with the potholes! This is not the problem with tourism in Kintyre. If it were then why do so many people travel so many more hours on worse roads in the highlands?

PS: will such a windfarm potential at machrihanish put a stop to your return??

Probably no. However, if this goes ahead, I am sure NO-ONE will have any pleasure in returning to Kintyre and gracing the shores of Machrihanish and looking at their kids straight in their eyes and saying "I supported all of this..............it was an eyesore before they put the turbines up.......honest!"

[maganru]

Totally agree with you Jock Strap. Of course, I will continue to come to Kintyre even if the wind farm is there. Have to admit, though, that Machrihanish is not a place I always visit anyway as my family are in Southend. But once the wind farm is installed I will most likely take a run there to have a look. The West Road is a brilliant run and if you had driven in South Lanarkshire after the winter we had, then you would know what a pot-holed road was.

[S6MMF]

Morning!

Jockstrap, I can indeed remember the road, I am a proper grown up ! Anyway in any case the A83 starts at Arrochar, not LochLomond, and to be more spectific I would say I was referring to the road surface not the 'drive' ie the view, (some people make this journey during the hours of darkness and the potholes are a hazzard). All this is beside the point.

mcpherson35, Apprenterships - somthing the Council should look into? Argylll College? Not an impossibility - look into it? Reasearch it yourself? Bring it up at the next comittee meeting? There is no such scheme here, but thats not to say you can't. Why not contact other comittees which were formed at an early stage like your own and have dealt with organising and arranging and liasing with the powers that be? I can not tell you what to do, nor do I want to.

Here they (the power company) have set up a schools programme offered to primary and secondary schools for free, delivering the message about energy saving, renewable energy and climate change, and an Eco schools officer in D&G, has attended 64 schools (2000+ children) helping schools to gain there green flag and educate children about climate change and renewable energy sources (all of). Also is the event REACT - a annual science show for primary school children.

As I said I am just providing some information as I have been involved in a similar project from its start to the current time and I can share some facts of the reality with you if you choose. I am born and bread Campbeltown and didn't say I was FOR or AGAINST the kintyre project. But if the political might behind the government and the crown estate get their way I'd like to know you were fully informed of how to grasp this oppertunity and use it to your gain.

[Bitter End]

" ! Anyway in any case the A83 starts at Arrochar, not LochLomond, " ????????????????????????????
Always thought that Tarbet was on Loch Lomond where the A83 leaves the A82 ?

[EMDEE]

Isn’t it ironic that this proposed development, the rationale of which is to attempt to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and thereby lower our impact on the natural environment, would involve the destruction of the aesthetics of the local natural environment in an area of undisputed natural beauty?

It is interesting that some see the destruction of the visual amenity of this area as an acceptable and necessary cost in the hope of getting some crumbs from the table of those who are going to making money out of this. Is this a form of bribery? It may be that there would be some economic benefits to the area, but does it justify the sacrifice of the unsurpassed visual amenity for which Kintyre is famous?

I would also suggest that a development of this scale would undoubtedly have unpredictable impacts on habitats and local ecology, which would only become apparent after the event, and would be irreversible.

I find the sheer scale of this proposed development at this location to be utterly abhorrent.

If it was 1st April I would think this was a wind-up!

[mrn]

I think its a shame that people get so worked up about the negatives and fail to open their eyes to the positives. Maybe financial benifits could include money for the renovation of the town hall and facilities at the Victoria hall? Thinking about all the positive things Campbeltown could do with a year on year guaranteed cash boost makes me excited about the possibilities for a cash strapped town......this money could go along way to upgrading the tourist attractions too - bike tracks etc...... not all visitors to Kintyre go to machrihanish to look at the view.

mrsbagpuss. Do you honestly think by simply bowing to these proposals that we will see renovations to the likes of the Town Hall, Victoria Hall etc? These projects will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and the proposed site is at Machrihanish not in Campbeltown!!

We already have a number of wind farms on Kintyre and what MAJOR financial benefits to they bring? Okay there are the various trusts which obviously help smaller groups. (which Campbeltown does not qualify for). On that note, does anyone know how much the trusts award each year?

[mcpherson35]

If it was 1st April I would think this was a wind-up!

This whole idea fills me with sadness. You only have to look at the picture above to see just how special this place is. I am not a local, but I do love the area. Yes, Cambeltown needs a boost, but will it seriously come with this wind farm. Once the farm is built how many real jobs will have been created, and how many will be lost? Could it also be the case that many locally trained labourers, will learn new skills and leave to chase the next project, taking their families and monies. What will be the economic, social and ecological impact at Machrihanish for years to come? Or is this not important in the grand scheme of the project.

[mrsbagpuss]

mrn, To clarify - I said 'Maybe' and it was a question, not a statement. just a simple suggestion, pardon me. If the turbines go ahead, you are expecting all the cash to be reinvested in machrihanish then? Thats community spirit........ I dont even live in Campbeltown, it was just some examples.

Everyone is so quick to attack if you seem to be willing to believe in the fact that this project might well happen, it doesnt seem there is much room for any discussion of the possibility of how things can be if the project is granted. Trying to look to the advantages of the situation if the proposal goes ahead does not automatically mean I or anyone who is involved in it was firmly in the 'for' camp. Might it just be useful to make the most of a situation, if you can't stop it from happening.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

Are the proposed turbines built in Campbeltown?

[Kintyre Forum News]

Are the proposed turbines built in Campbeltown?

LR - There is NO guarantee

For more information on the proposals please see

http://www.sse-kintyre.com/

Great debate and great to see many new contributers. Welcome to the forum.

[bill]

S6MMF,great insight in to the behind the scenes business of a windfarm project.I for one find your post informative and enlightening to what can be achieved by the community as opposed to the negative.

MrsBagpuss,you are correct when you say "not everyone goes to Machrihanish for the view".I was there last week and never gave it look.

LandroverRoger,I expressed the same view as you about the beauty of wind turbines in a previous post,and was laughed at by another forum member.So no,you are not alone.

Bud,maybe now you will have to concede that not everyone thinks the idea is stupid.Different people have different views.Always has been always will be.If not then you would not have a forum.

[A15 NMA]

Are the proposed turbines built in Campbeltown?

No



This is another assumed statement as the project is not yet at planning stage let alone tender. There is a strong possibility that the tower sections will be manufactured locally as Welcon cater for all the main players who will be tendering for this.