by Karen Keith
Bute Community Council is to lodge an official objection to the proposed
erection of wind turbines near to Lochgilphead.
The Acharossan Wind Farm project, which it is expected to make an
application for a wind farm with an installed capacity of over 50 MW, is
being developed by SSE Renewables Developments (UK) Limited (SSE
Renewables), and has sought the view of Bute Community Council as a
statutory consultee.
At the council’s meeting on Wednesday, June 18, at Kingarth Hotel,
community councillor Ian Hopkins stated his objections which were based on
aesthetic concerns and the potential negative effect the development could
have on wildlife. “I looked at the report – a lengthy document – and I’m
against the project,” he told the meeting. “It’s a site of national scenic
interest, and with 23 turbines on land 300m high, I think it’d be very
visible from the north end of Bute.
“Some of the turbines would be also be within the area of eagle eyries. I
just think this would spoil it.”
SSE Renewable’s scoping report states: “It is likely that the turbines will
consist of three bladed horizontal downward axis machines with a hub height
in the range of 60 to 85m and a blade (rotor) diameter between 80 and 112m
giving a total maximum blade tip height of up to 135m.”
At the end of the 25 year lifespan, the wind farm would either be
decommissioned and the turbines removed, or a new application would be made
to extend the consent for the existing turbines or to replace the turbines
on the site.
A majority vote carried the motion that BCC would record their objection to
the proposed development, and would be delivered prior to the closing date
of July 1.
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