More than 100 people turned out at a public debate on proposals for a wind
farm in the hills above Helensburgh – and voted against the idea.
The meeting, held in the Victoria Halls, was hosted by Helensburgh
Community Council last Thursday, October 23.
The developers – Helensburgh Renewables and Green Cat Renewables – and land
owner Luss Estates debated with community opposition group Turbine
Evaluation Group – Helensburgh and area (TEG-H) and answered questions from
residents on a number of topics.
Questions included: who pays to decommission the turbines; what affect will
the turbines have on tourism in the area; how has the wind speed been
measured for the particular area; and who will govern where the money goes
within the community.
All parties involved were pleased with how engaged the audience were and
the turnout at the event, and TEG-H won the debate with 45 people voting
against the plans, 21 in favour. The remaining 37 abstained.
A TEG-H spokesman said: “Rejection of the proposed Helensburgh wind farm at
the community council’s meeting was emphatic. The vote was two-to-one against.
“It was the fourth public statement of dismay at the 86.5 metres high
turbines overlooking Helensburgh and beyond. To date there have been 279
formal letters of objection compared with only eight in favour. In the Rhu
and Shandon survey, 89 per cent opposed the wind farm. The developers’ own
questionnaire showed 62 per cent against it.
“Now 68 per cent opposed it at the community council’s well-attended meeting.”
Developers Helensburgh Renewables submitted the long-anticipated planning
application to Argyll and Bute Council in July for the five 800kW wind
turbines which will stand 86.5 metres high to blade tip.
The community wind farm plans also seek permission for the formation of new
vehicular access, crane hardstandings, and the erection of substation and
temporary works compound.
The development is earmarked for land to the south east of Tom Na H Airidh,
and north of Drum-fad Wood, about 2km north of Helensburgh, but on land
within the Rhu and Shandon Community Council boundary.
Helensburgh community councillors decided to hold a meeting to better
inform the community on the matter which was considered ‘one of the most
significant applications affecting Helensburgh in recent years’.
Community councillor John Tacchi chaired the meeting with each side given
15 minutes to present their case to the public before a question and answer
session.
The developers were pleased with the opportunity to answer points raised by
local people, and by objector group TEG-H at last week’s Helensburgh
Community Wind Farm Debate.
Gavin Catto, of Green Cat Renewables, said: “As is often the case at wind
farm public meetings, objectors outnumbered supporters. However, the
breadth of questions from the public was very encouraging, and together
with Ian and Simon, I was pleased to help provide answers on everything
from finance and business model through to the technology and the
increasingly important role of wind power in the UK.”
Simon Miller, chief executive of Luss Estates, added: “The debate covered
many different aspects of the proposals. However, it was clear that, for
objectors, visual impact remains a key concern, and I was therefore pleased
to have the opportunity to refute TEG-H’s claims that the presence of five
turbines will be economically detrimental.
“As chief executive of a business which has invested millions in the local
property and tourism sectors in recent years, we simply would not consider
backing Helensburgh Community Wind Farm if we thought it would be harmful
to either.”
Developers say the Burgh community will receive a 33 per cent share in the
scheme via a locally-elected development trust, with a potential to bring
in £100,000 a year, or £4 million over the lifetime of the project.
Helensburgh Renewables strongly believes the wind turbines will create a
Common Good Fund which will benefit the whole of Helensburgh and Lomond.
Following Thursday’s event, Ian Fraser, of Helensburgh Renewables, said:
“Fundamentally, this is about the creation of a Common Good Fund for
Helensburgh and I am very much encouraged by the many questions regarding
how the fund would be established and governed.
“With so much focus on the Community Wind Farm itself, it was good to also
discuss how local people can get involved in effectively managing the money
generated.”
However, at the meeting questions were raised as to how many people were on
the development trust and how funds would be distributed.
A spokesman for TEG-H added: “Economic loss to Helensburgh could be much
greater than the cash being offered by the developers in compensation for
such harm. By contrast, millions of pounds already raised for Hermitage
Park, the Submarine Museum, Heritage Room, countryside footpaths, and much
else have been done without damaging the town.
“Finally, Thursday’s meeting exposed one new fact. The Development Trust,
which claims to represent the community, consists of only two people. TEG-H
considers that the wind farm is a seriously flawed proposal.”
However, when asked at the meeting about the number of directors of the
development trust, Ian Fraser, said he welcomed anyone to join and if no on
did the trust would be handed over to Foundation Scotland who run in
partnership with Argyll and Bute Council.
Ian added: “If no one wanted to join the development trust, we would hand
over the trust to Foundation Scotland who would have representatives from
Helensburgh and Lomond.
“Foundation Scotland could take over the running of the trust and give
proper governance of the trust and the money.”
The planning application will now go to Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning,
Protective Services and Licensing Committee for a public hearing to decide
its fate.
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