Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm

[weetoonboy]

You are correct in that you have your right of say and it is interesting to read and of course everyone is genuinely concerned about recent events at Skycon. But do you honestly think the residents of Machrihanish should just sit back and let this happen without any involvement in the process?

The two issues are completely separate and the protest against the proposed "Offshore" Windfarm at Machrihanish has NOTHING to do with the current situation at Skycon. FACT

The current situation at Skycon is not a result of the opposition to the proposed offshore windfarm, but whether the windfarm goes ahead or not will have a direct effect on the future of Skycon, and therefor Campbeltown as a whole. To say that the two issues are seperate is seriously undermining all of us.

With council cuts that are, (or maybe) coming, Campbeltown and South Kintyre is in a very precarious situation. Our town as a whole has been, and largely is, supported by Government money, be it in the form of council jobs or grants, so we need private investment, our children require a future. Sounds all very ConDem but its true.

We no longer have any real industry. Other than Whiskey, Cheese and Turbine Towers, we dont export anything else in any great numbers. Nothing that will provide our children with the skills and means required to support our community for the next 50yrs.

Yes the Vistas may be gone but South Kintyre needs to be so much more than 1 good view. In 50 years there will be a new technology, the turbines replaced with a new means of power generation, but in the mean time Campbeltown/Kintyre should be positioning itself for the future. Our Geographical Position is possibly our biggest disadvantage, but lets exploit what we can from it while we can.

P.S. If you live in one of those lovely big mansions along the front of the Village - I'll buy it off you. I like the Turbines.

[macmach]

You are correct in that you have your right of say and it is interesting to read and of course everyone is genuinely concerned about recent events at Skycon. But do you honestly think the residents of Machrihanish should just sit back and let this happen without any involvement in the process?

The two issues are completely separate and the protest against the proposed "Offshore" Windfarm at Machrihanish has NOTHING to do with the current situation at Skycon. FACT

The current situation at Skycon is not a result of the opposition to the proposed offshore windfarm, but whether the windfarm goes ahead or not will have a direct effect on the future of Skycon, and therefor Campbeltown as a whole. To say that the two issues are seperate is seriously undermining all of us.

To say the two are completely separate is in FACT the truth. The current situation at Skycon has nothing to do with the proposed windfarm off Machrihanish. To suggest the two are in anyway linked is seriously misleading and that my friend is a FACT!

With council cuts that are, (or maybe) coming, Campbeltown and South Kintyre is in a very precarious situation. Our town as a whole has been, and largely is, supported by Government money, be it in the form of council jobs or grants, so we need private investment, our children require a future. Sounds all very ConDem but its true.

We no longer have any real industry. Other than Whiskey, Cheese and Turbine Towers, we dont export anything else in any great numbers. Nothing that will provide our children with the skills and means required to support our community for the next 50yrs.

Yes the Vistas may be gone but South Kintyre needs to be so much more than 1 good view. In 50 years there will be a new technology, the turbines replaced with a new means of power generation, but in the mean time Campbeltown/Kintyre should be positioning itself for the future. Our Geographical Position is possibly our biggest disadvantage, but lets exploit what we can from it while we can.

Good point but why isn't more being made of the current situation at Skycon? Why isn't there a separate story on here about the current situation highlighting our important this factory is to the town now and in the future? Too many people not willing to stand up and be counted but point the finger elsewhere.

P.S. If you live in one of those lovely big mansions along the front of the Village - I'll buy it off you. I like the Turbines.

a) You couldn't afford one and b) I think it is the last thing the village needs. Another incomer who cares little about the place.

[weetoonboy]

I agree, that the cause of Welcons demise is not the oposition to the proposed windfarm.

Butm If the windfarm was to go ahead, and Welcon were to be awarded the building of the towers, then investors MAY, in no way assured, come forward and save the factory.

Its not Black and White and I realise the concerns raised.


And as for not wanting white settlers buyin your houses, who exactly do you think is going to buy them? None of us locals can afford them.

[StephenJ]

Interesting to compare and contrast with the Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm situation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11832559

[weetoonboy]

Interesting to compare and contrast with the Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm situation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11832559

Gigha springs to mind.

[macmach]

And as for not wanting white settlers buyin your houses, who exactly do you think is going to buy them? None of us locals can afford them.

I'll retract my original statement. It was made it haste and on the back of our family still smarting at losing out on a house in the village to someone from down south who will use the property as a second home. But I guess your response is spot on then!

[bill]

Interesting to compare and contrast with the Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm situation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11832559

Way to go.Let's hear it for the YIMBY village.

[

And as for not wanting white settlers buyin your houses, who exactly do you think is going to buy them? None of us locals can afford them.

I'll retract my original statement. It was made it haste and on the back of our family still smarting at losing out on a house in the village to someone from down south who will use the property as a second home. But I guess your response is spot on then!

As weetoon boy states"none of us locals can afford to buy them",so no fall in house prices at Machrihanish then,even with the proposed wind farm.Interesting.

[Kintyre Forum News]

so no fall in house prices at Machrihanish then,even with the proposed wind farm.Interesting.

That is interesting Bill. Can you publish your source of this statement? Always keen to keep my eye on market prices.

[bill]

so no fall in house prices at Machrihanish then,even with the proposed wind farm.Interesting.

That is interesting Bill. Can you publish your source of this statement? Always keen to keep my eye on market prices.

Stewart Balfour & Sutherland / C&D Mactaggart / Argyll Property websites are all there to browse.Complete with guide prices which IMHO have not decreased since the announcement of the proposed wind farm.

[StephenJ]

It's easier to be a YIMBY when you are getting some (or any) benefit from a development Bill. It would be interesting to know the background to the development, how the community were engaged and how it was funded. The lack of detail makes it less easy to compare - I guess that the flexibility around local taxation is one of many factors that would be difficult to replicate in Scotland.

[bill]

It's easier to be a YIMBY when you are getting some (or any) benefit from a development Bill. It would be interesting to know the background to the development, how the community were engaged and how it was funded. The lack of detail makes it less easy to compare - I guess that the flexibility around local taxation is one of many factors that would be difficult to replicate in Scotland.

Total agreement Stephen.Also town mayors have a lot more political power in Italy /Spain to make these type of deals to the benefit of the locals.No doubt some syphoned off into some elicit retirement account somewhere too.Politicians same the world over.

[mermaid]

so no fall in house prices at Machrihanish then,even with the proposed wind farm.Interesting.

That is interesting Bill. Can you publish your source of this statement? Always keen to keep my eye on market prices.

Stewart Balfour & Sutherland / C&D Mactaggart / Argyll Property websites are all there to browse.Complete with guide prices which IMHO have not decreased since the announcement of the proposed wind farm.

Having browsed all three websites you mentioned Bill there is not a single property for sale in the village of Machrihanish, nor can I remember apart from half of Craigmore, when a property in the village last changed hands.

Also - sorry for jumping in when I have nothing much to do with Kowag, but it has been made very clear on more than one occasion, skycon employee, NOT ONE PERSON in Machrihanish or surrounding areas want you to lose your jobs, NOT ONE PERSON doesn't want employment in the area, the case is very clear: the people against the "offshore" windfarm are against the PROPOSED SITE. They are NOT against renewable energy, skycon or anybody who earns a wage from them.

[WC1]

From an article in today's Herald:-

"Donald Trump yesterday declared war on a proposed wind farm in the sea off Aberdeen claiming it would "destroy" Scotland's natural heritage. The tycoon is worried the giant structures, which could be twice the height of Big Ben, will spoil the view for visitors using his £750 million golfing complex on the north-east coast.

"And the American billionaire vowed to fight the plans to place up to 11 turbines less than two miles from the shoreline where he plans to build 'the world's greatest golf course'.

"The £150 million project, backed by the European Commission, will see turbines ranging in height from 328 feet to 394 feet above the sea at low tide and would be in full view from the course.

"... Mr Trump yesterday said he would "vehemently" oppose the proposal. He said: 'Every component of our project is based upon sea views. We cannot allow what is tantamount to 11 65-storey structures off our beautiful coastline. Scotland is one of the most beautiful places on earth with a coastline that is recognised throughout the world as being the best.

* 'These turbines, if ever built, will in one fell swoop destroy Scotland's magnificent natural heritage'."

[bill]

Stewart Balfour & Sutherland / C&D Mactaggart / Argyll Property websites are all there to browse.Complete with guide prices which IMHO have not decreased since the announcement of the proposed wind farm.

Having browsed all three websites you mentioned Bill there is not a single property for sale in the village of Machrihanish, nor can I remember apart from half of Craigmore, when a property in the village last changed hands.

You are quite right mermaid,but as you can see from my post I did say since the announcement of the proposed wind farm, which of course is near on two years now.According to macmach's post below a house in the village has just been sold.I am assuming he means Machrihanish

I'll retract my original statement. It was made it haste and on the back of our family still smarting at losing out on a house in the village to someone from down south who will use the property as a second home. But I guess your response is spot on then! )

[abbey craig]

From an article in today's Herald:-

"Donald Trump yesterday declared war on a proposed wind farm in the sea off Aberdeen claiming it would "destroy" Scotland's natural heritage. The tycoon is worried the giant structures, which could be twice the height of Big Ben, will spoil the view for visitors using his £750 million golfing complex on the north-east coast.

"And the American billionaire vowed to fight the plans to place up to 11 turbines less than two miles from the shoreline where he plans to build 'the world's greatest golf course'.

"The £150 million project, backed by the European Commission, will see turbines ranging in height from 328 feet to 394 feet above the sea at low tide and would be in full view from the course.

"... Mr Trump yesterday said he would "vehemently" oppose the proposal. He said: 'Every component of our project is based upon sea views. We cannot allow what is tantamount to 11 65-storey structures off our beautiful coastline. Scotland is one of the most beautiful places on earth with a coastline that is recognised throughout the world as being the best.

* 'These turbines, if ever built, will in one fell swoop destroy Scotland's magnificent natural heritage'."

Thats good coming from a man that going to put a 450 room hotel,950 holiday apartments,and 500 reidential homes along the beautiful coast and beaches of Aberdeenshire.Thats ok but windmills are`nt