By Jamie McKenzie
A leading ornithologist has raised wildlife concerns about plans for a
community scale windfarm on the Black Isle.
The 6.9MW capacity scheme, backed by Black Isle Community Energy (BICE),
proposes three 377ft high towers in Millbuie Forest near Mount Eagle.
However Black Isle-based Brian Etheridge, who has been monitoring red kites
and ospreys in the forest for 20 years, is concerned that the scheme could
impact on nearby red kite, osprey and capercaillie populations.
The forest also includes the endangered Scottish wildcat, of which there
are estimated to be less than 300 left, pine marten and red squirrel.
The scheme will go to a public ballot to be decided on March 12 and papers
will be sent out to residents in mid February.
A yes vote in the ballot won’t necessarily lead to turbines being erected
because the planning application may be refused.
Local campaign group No Black Isle Windfarm recently criticised BICE for
using overestimated windspeeds in their financial projections for the
scheme. BICE claims the windfarm will bring £500,000 per year to the community.
Mr Etheridge said: “The two chosen locations for the turbines are in close
proximity to known traditional nesting sites and pose a direct risk to the
movement of adult birds of prey of conservation value as well as the relic
population of Capercaillie.
“The turbines will destroy the whole fabric of the forest.”
Martin Sherring of BICE said: “The concensus seems to be there is a fair
amount of uncertainty about the impact of turbines on these species and
that the best thing is to get as much survey work done as possible and
produce an environmental impact assessment that will clarify the likely impact.
“It is a bit premature really to categorically say that this is a problem.”
David Fraser, member of No Black Isle Windfarm, said: “BICE are trying to
scare people into voting yes by saying that a commercial developer will
step in if we don’t. But we believe the opposite is true. This is the thin
end of a wedge and only a no vote can deter commercial developers. The
postal ballot is the critical point – if there is a yes vote there will be
no going back to the Black Isle as we know it. It will be an open door to
development.”
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