Plans for a new Caithness wind farm have prompted a national campaigner to warn of the “misery and strife” that can arise when communities become divided over renewable energy developments.
Aileen Jackson, of Scotland Against Spin, highlighted the “striking” similarities between the proposed Swarclett Wind Farm at Bowertower and Neilston Wind Farm in East Renfrewshire.
Opponents of the two-turbine Swarclett scheme claim support has been targeted in Castletown, several miles away from the wind farm site.
Bowertower resident Tony Shaw, from the No to Swarclett action group, has pointed to parallels with the Neilston development which proved to be divisive when he lived near the village of Uplawmoor, south-west of Glasgow. The four turbines were built much closer to Uplawmoor than to the larger village of Neilston.
Mrs Jackson, who lives in Uplawmoor, said: “Residents of Neilston supported the application and were keen to benefit from the anticipated £10 million they would receive over the 25-year lifetime of the development. Uplawmoor, on the other hand, would be left with a desecrated landscape, 25 years of noise, visual intrusion, a reduction in property value and no compensation for the people most affected by the development.
“Uplawmoor residents were furious and it caused deep divisions and resentment between the two villages which still exists to an extent today, some 15 years later. To make matters worse, the wind farm was sold only four years after being commissioned, to a London-listed investment company whose purpose is to generate sustainable returns from a diversified portfolio of renewables infrastructure.
“Neilston only received £2 million of the anticipated £10 million and Uplawmoor was left with a wind farm which is now not even benefiting their neighbours in Neilston, let alone themselves.
“Situations such as this do not only cause divisions between communities, they can cause huge rifts between neighbours and family members within a community.
“Is it really worth causing so much misery and strife for the financial benefit on offer? It is a pittance compared to the profit being made by the developer.
“I know from personal experience the deep wounds it can inflict as I am a resident of Uplawmoor. Please do not let history repeat itself.”
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