An energy firm say they will spend £1.5 million restoring a disused
opencast site – if they get planning permission to build a wind farm there.
But Peel Energy’s ‘innovative package’ to mend the Grievehill mine, near
New Cumnock, has been criticised by the local community council, who claim
locals will be the ones again missing out.
The English-based firm have applied to create the six-turbine Garleffan
Wind Farm, reduced from nine, which sits on the Grievehill site.
They have agreed to pick up a restoration bill AND continue with their
offer to let communities invest in a share in the site.
But New Cumnock Community Council are angry they haven’t been consulted and
say the ‘offer’ is little more than a token gesture,
Instead of donating £500,000 to East Ayrshire Council’s Central Renewable
Fund – which is used to help areas affected by energy industries – Peel
will use that money to pay for restoration.
A source close to the firm said: “The £500,000 would have gone into the
Council’s central pot but this way residents know the money is being spent
on New Cumnock and sorting out this mess. The other million will come from
savings and they hope to strike a rental deal with the owners of the site
Hargreaves.
“Peel believe they are coming up with a solution to a problem that wasn’t
of their, or the community’s, making.”
A community council spokesperson said: “It is the understanding of New
Cumnock Community Council that the funds being offered by Peel Energy to
EAC will be as a contribution towards restoration of Garleffan Opencast and
will be instead of the usual community benefit.
“This effectively means that the wind industry is subsidising the mess left
behind by the coal industry and the communities are being forced to swap
one industrial development for another with no prospect of any community
benefit.
“Whatever happened to ‘the polluter must pay rule?’ Whilst EAC claim they
are not liable for the current opencast debacle, they are ultimately
responsible. It seems perverse that EAC could be allowed to raid the
communities’ benefit fund to repair land that belongs to private companies
and individuals.
“What about some community consultation on this?”
Peel say the continued offer of the opportunity for communities directly
involved, to become part owners of the scheme, remains the same and the
offer on the table is currently half a turbine.
Peel will argue that by offering £1.5m for mine restoration the residents
of New Cumnock will know exactly where their money is going. Under the
Central Renewable Fund scheme, East Ayrshire Council take the cash – money
generated per kilowatt of energy produced – and can spend it on any area
within a 10km radius of said site.
Jonathan England, Development Director, Peel Energy Limited said: “We have
responded to the useful comments made in response to our original
application, and the helpful input from the local communities during the
consultation events in reducing the scheme to six turbines. This means that
the scheme is less visible and further away from local communities.
“In addition we have responded to the collapse of the opencast mine
operators to ensure that restoration of the site in a safe and
environmentally sensitive way can be secured.”
Council planners will make their decision when the application is heard
next month.
• Peel Energy will be holding community drop-in events next week to allow
locals learn more about the Garleffan proposals.
On Monday September 8 they will be in Netherthird Community Centre from 2pm
to 4pm.
On the same day, they will be in New Cumnock Community Centre from 6pm to 8pm.
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