Windfarm concerns about Dark Sky Park go national – Ayr Advertiser

The threat of a huge windfarm overshadowing an Ayrshire stargazing
observatory has sparked anger nationally from a leading Scottish astronomer
and conservation charities.

The Astronomer Royal for Scotland John Brown has said putting turbines next
to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in Dalmellington is like building a
factory in Glen Coe.

And Craigengillan Estate owner Mark Gibson, who owns the land where the
observatory is sited, said Vattenfall’s proposed wind farm would taint
visitors’ experiences to the world class attraction.

A number of windfarm companies want to erect turbines in the area including
Vattenfall, which plans to put up 50 turbines spanning nearly 150 metres at
the South Kyle wind farm.

Professor Brown said: “There is a place for windfarms in our national
energy mix but they should not be sited in the Dark Sky Park. We should be
seeking to protect the wonderful dark skies of the Galloway Forest above
the world-leading Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. Installing any large
structures that require illumination would be akin to putting a factory in
Glen Coe or electricity pylons along the Cullin Ridge.

“Our First Minister was instrumental in helping to secure funding for the
observatory and he opened it with much passion and aplomb in October last,
praising Scotland for leading the world with this fine public and
educational facility. But Mr Salmond is also an ardent advocate of wind
farms and so faces a dilemma.”

Professor Brown, the John Muir Trust and Scottish Wild Land Group have sent
a letter to the Scottish Government asking them to ban wind farms in the
Galloway Dark Sky Park – famed for low light pollution.

Former UK country person of the year Mr Gibson said the view from the
observatory on his land currently boasts uninterrupted skyline.

He said: “The observatory is an incredibly precious asset for Ayrshire,
which was recognised by Alex Salmond when he opened it. Nothing should be
done to reduce its potential.

“Dalmellington is completely united against the windfarm proposal. It seems
unbelievable that a foreign owned company with no connections to the area
can make proposal, which would completely destroy the future people have
worked so hard to achieve.”