Wind Turbine Creep - please help!

[John Cowan]

I'm sorry, I know it's a repetitive subject, but it is going to keep coming up, again and again, for as long as there are rich subsidies to be earned.

The latest application is for two 47 metre turbines south of the Laggan, at Balloch Farm (to put their size into context, compare this to the two turbines at Drum Farm which, although they look big in the landscape, are a mere 21 metres).

These proposed new turbines are huge, constantly moving industrial machines and would draw the eye far more than any static feature. They would be visible from Oatfield Brae and Uigle Farm on the Southend Road, right around to Drumlemble and the Sound of Kintyre, including the two Machrihanish golf courses. They would dominate the view of the hills to the south.

As stated before in previous postings, I do not personally object to wind turbines or farms in the right situation, such as Bein an Tuirc and Deucheran on the spine of Kintyre. Wind power has its part to play and I have raised no objections whatsoever to these.

What I do object to, however, is the unrestrained proliferation of industrial sized turbines randomly sprinkled throughout the countryside… which I think is a reasonably balanced point of view. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Let's keep it that way.

I am posting here to ask for your assistance. Many of those in the immediate vicinity have already made their objections known but we desperately need more people to voice their concerns.

Comments can be simply made online at:-

http://publicaccess.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ ... XV3CH0CN00

Your comment doesn't have to be lengthy or involved, even a simple statement such as, "I object to this proposal and to the proliferation of wind turbines throughout the rest of rural Kintyre" will help!

Thank you for reading this.

Personal note:- Regarding NIMBYism ("not in my back yard"ism). Yes, we do live right next door to this particular one and it would certainly directly affect us. But we have also been active against many other inappropriate turbines from Southend to Loch Awe and from Beachmore to Ugadale. This is not mere self interest, it is part of a far larger ongoing picture.

[tarmmaker]

It does help when objecting to quote a planning issue, such as visual impact, noise, they should be positioned near to the property they supply, etc., as just saying they spoil the view or similar comments, although read are usually disregarded. It often helps to read other objections to see what they have said.
We have objected and can't see this being approved, but I agree the more objections the better.

[John Cowan]

Thank you for your positive comments, Tarmmaker, and for your objections. I agree absolutely with what you are saying.

There is, however, a complication with this particular application.The planners will necessarily be required follow the guidelines set out by the council. In the Argyll and Bute Landscape Wind Energy Capacity Study Part 5.pdf, page 93, (available at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/node/38158 ) which refers specifically to the Laggan area, it states that, "The small-medium typology could be sited on the edges of this character area at the transition with the ‘Upland Forest Moor Mosaic’ (6) and the ‘Mull of Kintyre Upland Forest Moor Mosaic’ (6c) to benefit from a backdrop of rising ground to limit visual impact." The small-medium typology referred to is defined as turbines up to 50 metres in height and this situation, at Balloch Farm, is exactly the location they are referring to where the backdrop will (supposedly) limit visual impact. So, based upon that (other issues aside), it is likely that the planners will recommend approval.

I think this issue of the backdrop supposedly limiting visual impact is a serious error in the Capacity Study. The backdrop will boost, not limit, the visual impact - white or light grey rotating blades catching whatever light is available, set in front of the north facing, dark green hill which is often in shadow.

Fortunately there are now enough objectors to ensure that the application has to go to the planning committee and thus, it becomes a political matter. You, and other objectors, have kindly stated the planning issues and so now it becomes a matter for political pressure. Hence my appeal for assistance.

But I am also very aware that it is a hard ask for people to object time and time again...