Author Archives: VisitStraiton

Reporter refuses wind farm near Wigtown Bay

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Wigtown Bay

The wind farm would have been sited on the hill across the water totally ruining this beautiful scene.

Trevor Croft, the Reporter who held the Inquiry into Keirs Hill has refused permission for a wind farm near Wigtown Bay. His conclusion is as follows:

“I therefore conclude, for the reasons set out above, that the proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would still justify granting planning permission. The appellant has acknowledged that the proposal does not accord with the development plan but maintains that other material considerations, notably the renewable energy and climate change benefits of the scheme justify approval. I do not consider that the undoubted renewable energy benefits of the proposal are sufficient to outweigh the adverse impacts on landscape, visual receptors and the cultural heritage. I have considered all the other matters raised, but there are none which would lead me to alter my conclusions.”

We believe if the same criteria are followed for Keirs Hill it will also be rejected. As soon as an announcement is made we’ll let you know.
You can read the whole report by clicking here.

Private water supplies at risk

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water drop

It’s now known that wind farm construction can have serious detrimental effects to water supplies. Two reservoirs and a water treatment works near Whitelees have been so badly polluted that they’ve been abandoned and a new water pipe brings water from the north of Glasgow to East Ayrshire at a cost to the public of £120 million.

If you have a private water supply and a wind farm is proposed in the area it is essential to find out where your supply is fed from. Wind farm companies should be monitoring water quality over a period of time taking account of differing weather conditions. We’ve found this rarely happens. Make sure there is a geohydrology report and contact the Environmental Health department at South Ayrshire Council if you have any concerns.

Wind farm construction which involves creating tracks, digging cable trenches, borrow pits (quarries, up to 4 metres deep at Knockskae), turbine bases (4 metres deep or more if needed) and hardstanding bases. These can be located some distance from your water supply but can still cause pollution to the water table and private supplies.

Oops! Ewe couldn’t make it up.

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turbine on bridge

Click on the picture above to view the video clip

Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) managed to get their turbine stuck on top of a bridge on its way to Ewe Hill wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway.

Funnily enough the turbine size is similar to those at Dersalloch, plus there’s a similar bridge to negotiate at Cassillis on the B7045. Again SPR are going to remove the stone parapet – perhaps this time they’ll remember to remove the temporary railing first!

Watching the video gives you a good impression of the scale of the turbines and how disruptive it’s going to be for those living along the route including the village of Kirkmichael.

 

Have you been acknowledged?

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If you’ve objected to Knockskae wind farm you ought to have received an acknowledgement from South Ayrshire Council. If you haven’t it could be that they have not received your objection, we’ve heard of some folks who’ve had to email three times before receiving an acknowledgment. Please persevere!

The Council continues to accept representations right up to the point they make their own report. We don’t know when that will be but it hasn’t happened yet.

If you have friends, family, neighbours and colleagues who you know would like to object to the ruination of our precious countryside please tell them to do so. We all need to do our bit to protect this beautiful corner of Scotland.

 

Click here and object to Knockskae Wind Farm now.

Enough is Enough

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Ayrshire hasn’t escaped the realities of climate change this winter, Storm Frank brought devastation to our communities and flooding to homes, farms and fields. We all have to do our bit to save the planet.

But did you know that Ayrshire is already doing ten times more than the rest of the country?

Across the UK as a whole there is one wind turbine for every ten thousand people. Here in Ayrshire it’s more like one per thousand. If Knockskae Wind Farm was allowed to go ahead, together with the four other proposals that threaten our community, the picturesque parish of Straiton could end up with one giant industrial turbine for every three residents.

Ayrshire is already doing more, much more, than it’s ‘fair share’ and the Scottish Government is already over-achieving on its renewables targets.

We say: “enough is enough”.

We need to protect what’s left of the beautiful scenery in our corner of Scotland. We need to protect the Merrick Wild Land Area from being irretrievably undermined, the Unesco Biosphere from being plundered and the Dark Sky Park from any more light pollution

We need to protect the jobs and small businesses that rural tourism supports.

We need to protect our homes – disturbing the peat and deforesting the hillsides to plant wind farms will only serve to reduce the ability of our hills and river valleys to cope with next winter’s storms. The thousands of heavy constructions vehicles thundering through conservation villages will cause severe vibration in centuries-old cottages, never built to withstand such an onslaught.

Please tell Ayrshire Council that ‘enough is enough’. The people of Ayrshire have already done more than the rest of the country, we simply can’t afford to give away any more of our countryside.

Click here and object to Knockskae Wind Farm now.

Please object now to Knockskae and save our landscape

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The spectacular view from Guiltreehill

The spectacular view from Guiltreehill

After carefully looking over the Application to build Knockskae wind farm with 11 turbines, each 126.5m high, with miles of access tracks and associated infrastructure, we firmly believe this would be totally inappropriate in this landscape.

More importantly it would have a severe impact on several homes nearby causing shadow flicker and noise pollution. We think this is unacceptable.

The traffic route proposed passes down Kirkland Street in Maybole with its two primary school and known traffic issues. From here is passes through the conservation village of Crosshill, past the cemetery, over the crossroads and right next to Auchalton SSSI via a new track enclosing this important site. This road is also part of National Cycle Route 7.

All the documentation is available on South Ayrshire Council’s website, click here to view. Alternatively we have uploaded some of the most important documents which can be accessed by clicking on our Knockskae Planning Submission page.

If you feel the same as we do and wish to protect our neighbours homes and our beautiful landscape please object now. You can do this simply and easily by going to our online objection form here and filling out your details which will go directly to South Ayrshire Council.

To read some suggested objection points or download a post card, click here.

It only takes a few minutes, please take the time to help us by 31 December 2015. Thank you.

 

Our AGM

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A selection of slides from the Chair's presentation

A big thank you to all who turned up on an inclement evening to support our AGM, it was great to see so many of you. The office bearers of the committee/team are now Lala Burchal-Nolan continuing as Chair, Glen Heggs is continuing as Vice Chair, Tom Dowman as Treasurer. A formidable team which also includes Whirly Marshall, Sandy Millar and Bea Holden, Whirly has become our expert on landscape matters, Sandy on noise and landscape issues and Bea covers the website and community liaison. Eoghan Baird has stepped down as Secretary, many thanks Eoghan for all your work and support over the past three years.

Lala gave an update on all the proposals around Straiton and neighbouring communities illustrated with some excellent, and very accurate, animations John Nolan has provided which show how the proposals would appear from various viewpoints. She also explained how the team see their remit in terms of which development proposals would be objected to. This included how money raised from the community would only be spent on objecting to proposals which affected the parish of Straiton. To view her slides click here.

Whirly showed interested residents sections of the Knockskae wind farm application showing visualisations of the development. This is hopefully the last application we will have to deal with in our immediate area. There is still a lot of information to digest and appraise but we have post cards available with some points we have been able to identify.

After a question and answer session the evening concluded with wine, mince pies and some good conversation, plus the raffle of course.

Thanks to all those who generously donated prizes for our raffle and helped make the evening run smoothly. Your support inspires us.

PS If you would like to join the team you would be more than welcome, co-opted members (those who wish to join for a limited time or just work on one particular issue such as ecology) are also very welcome.

Join us for our AGM and campaign update

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Mince PieThursday 10th December, 7.30pm McCandlish Hall, Straiton

After a short AGM we’ll have an update on the campaign followed by a glass of wine or cup of tea or coffee and some mince pies, nibbles and some festive cheer. With your support we’ve had a successful year.

The main issue currently is Knockskae. A planning application has just been lodged with South Ayrshire Council and we’ll have all the detail on this along with post cards for an informed objection. The proposed traffic route is down Kirkland Street in Maybole, through Crosshill, past the cemetery and across the Cloyntie crossroads. Lots of homes nearby will be adversely affected by this poorly designed wind farm. It’s sited on high ground so will be visible from miles around.

Hopefully this be the last application we have to oppose – please come along, get informed, get post cards for friends and family and let the Council know this proposal is completely unacceptable.

The view from Straiton

This is the view of the proposed development from the centre of Straiton

Inquiry gets underway

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Doon Valley Golf Course with Keirs Hill in background

This was taken from the delightful Doon Valley Golf Course looking toward Keirs Hill where the proposed development would be positioned.

The Public Inquiry into the proposed Keirs Hill wind farm got underway in Dalmellington today. During the first week the impacts that the proposal would have on the landscape, settlements and individual homes will be covered.

Save Straiton for Scotland will present their evidence on Thursday. If you are able to attend for all, or part, of the day please do so. Your support will be much appreciated by the team.

During the second week impacts on Cultural Heritage (Tuesday 6th), Tourism and Recreation will be heard (Wednesday 7th).

Sessions start at 9.30am and finish at 4.30pm with a break for lunch at around 12.30 -1pm for 1 hour. It is being held in Dalmellington Community Centre which is on the left as you enter the village from the north. There is plenty of parking space and you are welcome to and go as you please (just mind the squeaky door and close it gently!).

A super walk and scrummy barbecue

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Strollers crossing a bridge with the monument in background-sml

©Anthony Dawson Photography

A beautiful walk was enjoyed by supporters – the perfect way to build up an appetite for the delicious barbecue back in the village. The walk was new to many and gave some fine views of the village and surrounding hills which we are striving to protect. Chair of Save Straiton for Scotland, Lala Burchall-Nolan gave a detailed update of the campaign. This included the forthcoming Public Inquiry into the Keirs Hill wind farm proposal. Among the strollers were friends from over the hill in Waterside who will be severely affected by this proposed development. The Inquiry starts on the 28th September and supporters were asked to attend and lend their support if they were able.

A huge vote of thanks to all those who contributed cash, wine, raffle prizes, food and their precious time to make the event a success. Over £760 was raised! Special thanks to Katie and Joy who took on the organisation of the barbecue and did such a brilliant job.

Walkers gather outside the Hall

Join us for a Stroll and Barbecue

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Straiton Stroll PosterSunday 20th Sept 1.30pm McCandlish Hall

We’d love to see you at our Stroll and Barbecue. Our route might well be new to many walkers as it’s not long established, plus there are alternative shorter routes. Great views of the glorious countryside from all routes. Non-walkers are very welcome – come along a little later to welcome the trekkers back. There’ll be all the latest campaign news, a fantastic raffle, photo competition and lots of delicious food and drink some Juicing daily drinks to enjoy.

Donations very welcome, contact our co-ordinator Katie at ckcnisbet@btinternet.com

We want your views!

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Mail1South Ayrshire Council are in the process of producing guidance for wind farm development. Earlier they invited comments on a range of wind farm issues to shape this guidance. We’ve looked at some of the comments and note that quite a number of developers took part to get their point of view across. Some of those views include “an arbitrary 2km should not be drawn round each settlement”, “Landscape Character 17b is only appropriate for turbines 50-70m in height however this has been shown to be too conservative” It’s hardly surpsrising that these were made by RES who want to erect 149m turbines less than 2km from Waterside and Patna!

There are many other examples where developers appear to have a blatant disregard for communities, our precious landscape, planning guidance and the landscape study by SNH.

Please follow the link here to view the draft guidance. The team at Save Straiton are producing a comprehensive response to this draft and we would appreciate your views as well. Even if you only want to comment on one aspect of the draft guidance which you feel strongly about please let us know – and leave your own comment too of course!

Developers are using this opportunity to get their views across and have guidance written in their favour We must get our message to the Council: 2km is the very minimum distance from homes (turbines are very much larger than a few years ago), light flicker and noise must be assessed properly, river valleys should be protected, the Landscape Capacity Study should be strictly adhered to and most importantly individual homes should be given the same status as villages. There are many other issues of course but we feel these are some of the most critical.

We’re looking forward to receiving your comments.

 

Keirs Hill – updated information

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Keirs Hill from Dunaskin Burn

This was taken from close to the remains of Laight Castle, a rectangular Tower House that is highly reputed to be the location that Alpine, the King of the Scots, was defeated and killed in a battle in 834. Keirs Hill is in the background. Note that a line of pylons on the far hillside is virtually invisible from this viewpoint but the turbines would be a very dominant feature.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been busy preparing our Case Outlines for the Keirs Hill Public Inquiry to be held at the end of September. RES have supplied additional information for their Application which can be viewed here.

Naturally we’ve looked at all the new information and remain convinced that this application is completely inappropriate for this location and is contrary to a myriad of local policies and guidelines.

We are working with our neighbours in the Doon Valley to mount a robust defence to protect individuals, communities, the landscape, tourism, recreational pursuits, and our culture and heritage.

Our Outlines have to be by this Friday, if anyone still wishes to speak and has not contacted us, please do tomorrow.

Our objection to Hadyard Hill Extension

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The picturesque village of Barr

The picturesque village of Barr

We submitted a comprehensive Objection to SSE’s plans to extend the Hadyard Hill wind farm near Barr by 31 turbines, bringing the total number to a whopping 83. We stressed the damaging effects that the existing development has had on those living in close proximity and resulted in residents having to leave their homes. The extension would impact significantly on a further 26 homes. We also highlighted the damaging effect it could have on tourism and recreation in the area resulting in job losses. The Extension, we pointed out, is contrary to Scottish Planning Policy, the ethos of the Biosphere, the South Ayrshire Landscape Wind Capacity Study, Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Strategy and Wild Land Area policy.

Please read our full Objection by clicking the link here.

Crosshill, Straiton & Kirkmichael Community Council also objected as did Barr, Dailly, Pinmore & Pinmerry, and Colmonell & Lendalfoot CCs.

Hadyard Hill Extension

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The closing date for representations has now passed. Thank you to everyone who objected to this Extension. The full Save Straiton objection will be made available in the next couple of days.

Near Barr

Representations must be made by 5th June 2015

Views like this of the beautiful Stinchar valley near Barr would be ruined if SSE’s Hadyard Hill Extension were to go ahead. There are already 52 turbines in this wind farm – another 31 would completely overwhelm this area. The proposed turbines are significantly higher than those erected resulting in more noise and shadow flicker pollution for those living nearby. Unlike the installed wind farm this would be visible from both Barr, Dailly and Crosshill plus Wallacetown, Seasons Holiday village at Brunston Castle, the dramatic Nick of the Balloch and large sections of the Stinchar and Girvan valleys.

The developer admits that “26 properties would undergo a significant effect”. Others would have their amenity destroyed. Eight properties come within 1km with the closest only 720m from a turbine. We feel this is unacceptable.

The Merrick Wild Land Area would also be compromised – the proposed turbines are 25% bigger than the installed ones and located on higher ground.

We have prepared post cards which can be downloaded and printed out for friends and family to make an informed objection. Please print them out for those without access to the internet.

Click here to view objection points and here to object on-line.

Ruined – this iconic view of Straiton

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View of Straiton with Monument

It is with great sadness that we have to report the Judicial Review into Dersalloch will not go ahead. Mark Gibson of Craigengillan (with the support of East Ayrshire Council) had done everything possible to bring one about but sadly a judge ruled that he would not allow his expenses to be capped. This would mean ScottishPower Renewables could extract their costs from him which may have been many thousands of pounds. They, ScottishPower Renewables, were represented by no less than four QCs.

It would appear to us that the Government have not followed their own Planning procedures whereby if the local council object to a development a Public Local Inquiry (PLI) is held. Both South and East Ayrshire Councils objected, along with 4,723 individuals. The high-handed way the Ministers have dealt with this, ignoring local communities, disregarding the Landscape Capacity Study and, of course, announcing the decision to approve without a PLI on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games so it would not receive any media attention, leave a very unpleasant taste.

A Public Local Inquiry would have been the fairest way to proceed; all parties could have voiced their concerns openly. Since the original application there have been significant changes with the formation of the Dark Sky Park, the South Ayrshire Landscape Capacity Study, a new Local Development Plan has been adopted and ospreys are now established at Loch Doon to name just some.

The construction of Dersalloch is by a foreign company, installing German made and serviced turbines and using a construction firm from southern Ireland so there would be very little local, or even national, economic benefit.

We have always believed that following the Planning guidelines and working with the system, although not perfect, is the best way to protect our area from inappropriate developments. This is a clear case of inappropriate development. We must hope that the Scottish Government stop overruling local communities and local democracy and that such a travesty of justice is not repeated yet again.

Keirs Hill Public Inquiry – have you been missed?

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depaThe Scottish Government announced there is to be a Public Local Inquiry into Keirs Hill Wind Farm. Everyone who responded to the Application ought to have been contacted. If you wrote, emailed or sent a post card commenting on the Application and have not been contacted please let us know, even if you do not wish to take part in the Inquiry.

We are aware that some people have not been contacted who should have been and we want to help the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) by letting them know who has not been included. It may well be an administrative error or some addresses have been lost when the system was upgraded. Either way it is important that all those who responded should be given the opportunity to speak or add to their comments if they wish. Please email us at admin@savestraitonforscotland.com

If you have received an invitation to take part we would urge you to do so. This is the last chance to defeat the Keirs Hill proposal. The more voices the Reporter hears the more impact our objection will have. If you would like help or advice with your submission – please ask – we will be pleased to assist.

Thank you to South Ayrshire Council

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On behalf of Save Straiton for Scotland and our supporters, I want to thank South Ayrshire Council for their unanimous decision to object to the Linfairn Wind Farm proposal.

The Planning Panel took issue with the Linfairn Wind Farm proposals, based on:
• The overwhelming local opposition to the proposal

• The impact on homes, especially from noise and shadow flicker
• Impact on the landscape of the Girvan Valley
• The unrealistic transport plans, and
• The number of wind farms already sited in South West Scotland

Hearing councillors say: “enough is enough”; “this is the wrong place” and; “common sense says no was music to my ears!

Our representatives showed themselves to have truly listed to and understood the concerns of the community and stood in solidarity with us in opposing the destruction of our landscape.

In listening to – and heeding – the voice of the people South Ayrshire demonstrated democracy in action. Let’s hope the Scottish Government stands ready to do likewise.

Lala Burchall-Nolan
Chair, Save Straiton for Scotland

Hadyard Hill Extension Exhibitions

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High Tralorg, near Girvan

High Tralorg, near Girvan

SSE are holding their second round of exhibitions  in Barr, Dailly and Crosshill with details of the revised proposal for their Extension to Hadyard Hill. 31 turbines are envisaged and the developer states that the turbines and associated infrastructure will be located along an undulating ridge to the north east of the existing development. The site boundary extends across the hill road from the Cloyntie crossroads to Nick o’ the Balloch, which is also designated as part of National Cycle Route 7. In the original proposal several turbines were visible from Straiton, each turbine was 126.5m high with an output of 3MW. If you can manage to attend, please do so and leave your comments on the form provided.

Wednesday 4th March
Barr Community Hall 3pm – 8pm

Thursday 5th March
Dailly Community Centre 10am – 2pm
Crosshill Community Centre 3.30pm – 7.30pm

You might be interested to read that Hadyard Hill wind farm has received £6.5 million in constraints payments, click here to read the full story reported in Carrick Today.

Thank you and our submission

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Linfairn Addendum pic

Thank you again for all your support; at the recent Soup and Sweet and for responding in your thousands to the original Linfairn Wind Farm Proposal and the Addendum. To read our submission please click here. There are 17 Chapters plus Appendices but you can just open the Chapter or Chapters which are of particular interest to you, or just read the conclusion if you are really pressed for time.

We do hope you will find some time to read through parts of it, in particular the Chapter on Shadow Flicker which is particularly significant. We are fortunate to have an expert software developer who has assisted us by applying for a software licence and using this specialist software to demonstrate that Shadow Flicker results should not be limited to 10 times the rotor diameter. When turbines are located south of homes, and especially on high ground, Shadow Flicker has the potential to affect properties much further afield.

The rain didn’t dampen our spirits

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guestsSome seriously delicious soups and sweets were polished off on a wet Sunday afternoon, the weather may have been dreich but the Soup and Sweet was anything but. Over 70 folk enjoyed warming soup, a scrumptious pudding rounded off with tea or coffee. Our famous Straiton raffle did not disappoint with loads of prizes – a surprising amount involving alcohol! In addition each table was graced with a beautiful potted primrose which the person with the lucky seat took home with them.

 

Fri13Feb15

Lala (on the right) handing over the Objection and Petition from Save Straiton for Scotland to Ms Anderson at the Consents Unit

Our Chair, Lalage Burchall-Nolan, gave an update on the situation to date as well as heartfelt thanks to all the soup and sweet makers and those helping in the background. In her hand was SSfS’s Objection to the Linfairn Wind Farm Addendum which has been submitted to the Consents Unit. She also mentioned that two thirds of all wind farm objections received by the Scottish Government in 2014 were for Linfairn – a staggering fact and shows just how much people care about protecting this area.
If you wish to read our full objection we will be uploading it in the very near future.

Just over £1,250 was raised which is a massive help to the campaign. PNE Wind are expected to put forward their proposal for Knockskae wind farm in the Spring and we intend to employ experts to inform our detailed Objection to their proposal which we believe is in an inappropriate location for a development of this size and scale.

sweets

The tempting array of sweets which tasted as good as they looked

Thank you to all those who helped organise, made soups and sweets, laid out the tables, donated prizes, and assisted in the success of the afternoon. And a big thank you to all those who came and supported the event.

Keep the Date for Soup and Sweet

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soup-sweet

Join us on Sunday 22nd February, 1pm – 3.30pm at the McCandlish Hall in Straiton for a tasty bowl of soup and a scrumptious sweet.

As well as delicious offerings we’ll be giving an update on the current wind farm applications plus they’ll be another opportunity to purchase one of James Fullarton’s beautiful prints – a great Mother’s Day gift or birthday present. We’ll also have a selection of small paintings and cards and a great raffle!

white_yachts

Donations of £5 per adult and £2.50 per child would be greatly appreciated. Look forward to seeing you there.

Mince Pies, Mulled Wine and our AGM

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Back in December we held our AGM. Bill Steven, retired from the Chair but is still active on the Committee, we would like to thank him for all the hard work he has put in over the past years, his enthusiasm, engaging personality and exceptional public speaking skills have been invaluable. Stepping up to the Chair is Lala Burchal-Nolan, again an excellent and inspiring speaker with an incisive mind and, what’s more, she can speed read – a useful skill when going through thousands of pages of developers’ applications.

Sadly we are also losing Jonathan Meuli; web builder extraordinaire and multi-talented intellectual (writer, editor, artist, photographer and expert communicator). He constructed this site, creating the ‘feel’ and tone of the pages, working through the nights uploading an enormous amount of content through which our readers can become informed and come to their own conclusions. We hope we can do justice to all your hard work. Thank you.

Also stepping down are Whirly Marshall and Joanna Clapton who have become experts in all things Planning. They have studied each application with forensic detail and put together some compelling objections which has taken many, many hours of work for which we are all very grateful. Fortunately they are still helping in the background with forming our objections to Linfairn and Knockskae proposals.

Since the meeting we have welcomed Tom Dowman and Sandy Millar on to the Committee and we are confident they will make an invaluable contribution to the campaign.

Click here to open a pdf of the AGM slides which include how much we raised, how we spent it and an update on all the developments.

Since the meeting we know that Mark Gibson of Craigengillan has lodged a petition for a Judicial Review into Dersalloch after East Ayrshire inexplicably withdrew at the 11th hour.

 

30th January – deadline for objections to Linfairn

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In order that our readers can be fully informed about WilloWind’s application to build a 17 turbine wind farm near the village of Straiton we have uploaded all files relating to the Addendum to the original Planning Application. They are in pdf format and can be viewed here.

To object to the Addendum, please click here.

Figure A6.12.23b - Viewpoint 23.cdr

After studying the Addendum we feel that the proposal is still totally unacceptable, in our opinion the development would brutally dominate the upper Girvan valley, completely overwhelming this beautiful glen and is contrary to the adopted Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine Development in Ayrshire and would compromise the SNH draft Core Areas of Wild Land designation.

We believe the traffic route is also unacceptable; thousands of vehicle journeys would thunder past two primary schools, a play park and a graveyard in Maybole, continue through the conservation village of Crosshill past another graveyard. The route turns onto the B741 towards Straiton where, just before the Crosshill Bridge over the Girvan, a new section of track would be created to enable the huge vehicles to swing round to join the Dyke Road. From here it almost doubles back on itself up the Dyke Road to the site entrance between Dyke and Knockgardner Farms.

Perhaps worst of all we firmly believe this development would have severe detrimental effects on Knockskae and two cottages at Tairlaw with residents suffering substantial noise disturbance, shadow flicker and appalling views. Other homes located up the glen would also be adversely affected, the ability of residents to enjoy their homes and gardens that have carefully been maintained with different Types of Hedge Trimmers and that they may have decorated with the best glowing pebbles, all this could be compromised.

The view from Cornish Hill

The view from Cornish Hill

 

Another Linfairn Exhibition

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Figure A6.12.23b - Viewpoint 23.cdr

WilloWind are holding Public Information Days in Straiton and Kirkmichael next week to “re-engage with local communities” and have submitted an Addendum to the Linfairn Wind Farm application. Despite reducing the number of turbines to 17 we feel the development is still completely unacceptable. As shown by their photomontage it completely dominates the beautiful upper Girvan valley, homes would be overwhelmed and suffer from shadow flicker and noise.

Please try to attend one of the exhibitions and make your feelings known.

Tuesday 13th, McCosh Hall, Kirkmichael, 2pm – 7pm
Wednesday 14th, McCandlish Hall, Straiton, 2pm – 7pm

Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and our annual general meeting

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7pm, Thursday 4th December, McCandlish Hall, Straiton

SSfS AGM 14 Flyer

Join us for a sociable evening and enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies. The evening will open at 7pm with refreshments and a chance to catch up with friends followed by the meeting which will run for an hour and incorporate an update on the campaign plus the ‘formal’ annual general meeting.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Knockshinnoch; too close to homes

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2 Turbines at KnockshinnochAlthough not directly in the Straiton area a proposal to erect 2 turbines at 125.6m high in nearby East Ayrshire has been submitted. Like some of the developments near Straiton the turbines would be alarmingly close to homes, 5 properties are within 750m.

It is clearly visible from A713, a main tourist route into this area and to Straiton. It would be visible from parts of Rankinson and Littlemill but the developer regards this as ‘moderate’ – somehow I doubt the residents would agree with this. Situated on Landscape Character 17a (Foothills with Forest and Opencast Mining) but within 600m of East Ayrshire Lowlands (7c) which the developer acknowledges would suffer significant effects. The East Ayrshire Landscape Capacity study states that these Lowlands would have a “High sensitivity to large typology“. Shadow flicker is expected to affect 8 properties. The developer mentions they would remove this effect entirely by ensuring the turbines would not operate when the shadow flicker would occur. This is welcome but why erect turbines so close to properties when they have to be switched off for long periods? Perhaps the developer should have chosen a more appropriate site. To blight so many homes and make no real significant contribution to the Government’s targets on renewable energy seems just plain wrong.
If you wish to object please follow the link to http://scotlandagainstspin.org/Objections/knockshinnoch-wind-farm/
If you wish to find out more, East Ayrshire council has all the documents associated with this proposal (120) on their website http://eplanning.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/online/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N8343XGF01B00

 

Hadyard Hill Extension

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SSE held exhibitions at the end of April showing their plans for up to 51 turbines at 126.5m high as their extension to their Hadyard Hill wind farm near Barr. In capacity terms the extension is much bigger than the existing wind farm and the map below shows the area being proposed. The orange dots show proposed turbine location and the red dots are homes. Click on the Map to view a larger version. (Map was produced using Bing OS maps)

Hadyard Extension Map

When it was pointed out to the project manager that the turbines were positioned virtually at the top of hills, extremely close to peoples’ homes and within the Intimate Pastoral Valley designation she replied that this was just a rough plan of the proposed development. They plonk turbines all over the area to get as much feedback as possible from statutory consultees such as SNH and SEPA. She cited an example of an application in different area which had been reduced from around 50 to 30 turbines. She also mentioned that no landscape professional had been employed in the initial stages of the Hadyard Hill Extension which begs the question why on earth put up this information? Is it an attempt to worry folk and then cynically remove some turbines which they never intended to construct and then claim “to have listened”? As a responsible developer we would expect that more care and thought would have gone into the design of a wind farm, even in the initial stages and certainly before presenting it to the public.

To see exactly how near the proposed turbines are to peoples’ homes click here.

To read the Scoping Report and download the pdf document (15mb) click here.

As it stands the development would be clearly seen from Straiton and Kirkmichael and be a very dominant feature from Crosshill.

Would you buy a house near a wind farm? Vote today!

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A new report confirms what we all knew anecdotally, which is that house prices fall within sight of wind farms.

High Tralorg, near Girvan

High Tralorg, near Girvan

If you would like, you can download the full LSE report here: Gone with the Wind: Valuing the Visual Impacts of Wind Turbines through House Prices by Stephen Gibbons.

And so to today’s key question Would you buy a house near a wind farm? You can cast your vote at the BBC Countryfile website

Hadyard Hill Extension and Exhibitions

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As if recent proposals near Loch Doon weren’t bad enough we regret to note that SSE are hoping to extend their wind farm at Hadyard Hill, near Barr by a whopping 51 turbines with a height of 126.5m. These would join the existing 52 turbines making a total of 103 turbines in yet another particularly scenic part of South West Scotland.

They are holding two exhibitions; the first is on Tuesday 29th April, 3pm – 8pm in the Community Centre, Dailly, the second is on Wednesday 30th April, 3pm – 8pm in Barr Community Hall. If you can manage to go along and let SSE know how you feel about their plans to extend the wind farm then please do so.

The extension would be north eastwards, towards Crosshill and Straiton and crosses over the minor road between Straiton/Crosshill and Barr. Click on the maps to see a larger version with more detail.

Microsoft Word - UK1219606_ScopingReport_4.docx

Proposed Site Boundary

Microsoft Word - UK1219606_ScopingReport_4.docx

Proposed Turbine Locations

To read the Scoping Report (5.3mb) click here.