Scottish Government chiefs this week defended their decision to snub the
views of angry Doon Valley residents.
Last week we revealed how ministers in Holyrood gave the green light for
Dersalloch Wind Farm – despite widespread opposition locally.
Both East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council officially objected to
Scottish Power’s 23-turbine plans at Dersalloch Hill.
They took that course of action after receiving 5000 letters of objection.
But despite this, Ministers overlooked the recommendations here in Ayrshire
to grant the utility giant permission to start operating on the site just
west of Dalmellington.
And this week a Scottish Government Spokesperson said: “Scottish Ministers
carefully considered all consultation responses, as well as the
environmental information and all letters of objection and support, before
determining the Dersalloch Wind Farm application. They were satisfied that
most issues raised could be appropriately addressed by way of mitigation,
and that those impacts which remain are outweighed by the benefits the
development will bring.
“The Dersalloch wind farm will create 120 jobs during construction and
additional jobs once up and running. It will also save more than 88,000
tonnes of carbon dioxide each year while producing enough electricity to
power 32,500 homes. Local residents will also benefit from an £8.5million
community benefit package over the 25 year lifespan of the wind farm.
“Scotland is already providing over a third of the UK’s renewable
electricity generation and helping to keep the lights on across our islands
at a time where there is an increasingly tight gap between electricity
supply and demand.”
Dark Sky boss Mark Gibson argued that the decision was a betrayal of local
people, while both local authorities say they were considering the
implications of the decision.
It’s not the first time in recent months that East Ayrshire Council have
looked powerless against the might of Holyrood.
Earlier this year they objected to a new quarry near Muirkirk but again
their views were ignored and the Troon-based Hillhouse Quarries were
allowed to press on with their plans.
Scottish Ministers will also make the final decision on Vattenfall’s South
Kyle wind farm after, like the Dersalloch application, they asked for it to
be objected.
Anxious anti-wind farm campaigners in Dalmellington say it will be a
disaster for the area, in terms of the Dark Sky Observatory, and future
tourism opportunities.
3 Comments
Stop the gravy train · August 9, 2014 at 9:19 pm
How do they get away with the comments about amount of CO2 saved and keeping the lights on, both of which are totally untrue?
Bima · September 9, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Most objections are based on imagination. Go to East Germany. Drive through and see all the wind farms. Most are not ‘in your face’ or big in the landscape. They are tall, yes: thin?yes: Noisy -p no more than the averager A road traffic noise. You tell my granddaughter,’I ruined your world because I thought I might not like a wind turbine!’