By Jamie McKenzie
Fury has erupted in a Caithness community over the visual impact of a
proposed batch of turbines – after a new image emerged highlighting how
prominent they would be.
E-ON Climate and Renewables UK Developments Ltd wants to build up to 22
turbines – reduced from 47 – at Golticlay, two and a half miles north of
Lybster.
This month, local residents will get the chance to view the proposals for
the masts, which will be up to 427ft tall, during two consultation days at
Lybster Community Centre.
But already concerns have been raised after a new impression shows the view
of the turbines from Lybster, and will be among several the several
viewpoints on display at the event.
Yesterday Caithness anti-windfarm campaigner Brenda Herrick said she was
“shocked” by the image, adding: “Local people really need to see this. The
main issue is that these turbines are absolutely massive.
“It is good to see that it is now 22 turbines and not 47, but developers
talk about huge numbers and chop them off and think everyone is happy. I
think the people of Lybster are in for a shock.
“It’s a popular area for tourists and the weapon we have against them is
the presence of wildcat. The Wildcat Haven are looking there and if they
are found, that will be that.
“Caithness is just being trashed by turbines – they are just everywhere.”
Resident John Robson, of Newlands of Smerlie, Lybster, said he fears the
area could soon be “ringed” with wind turbines, adding: “The thing that’s
most disturbing to us with the Golticlay plans is the height of these
things – they are absolutely enormous. Burn of Whilk windfarm is about four
to five miles away and we see them as well.
“People are not going to want to come from miles away to see the likes of
the Campstor Cairns, which are thousands of years old. It’s already off
putting for tourists, and people who have been here before tell me they are
horrified with what they are seeing around the county.”
The exhibitions will be held on January 27 and 28 at the community centre,
from 2pm-8pm.
Vicki Harrison, project developer at E-ON, said: “These sessions are being
held to update the local community about our plans while giving them the
opportunity to share their views, ask questions and comment on our proposed
turbine layout for the site.
“We’d like to invite as many people as possible to come along to the public
exhibitions at Lybster Community Centre when we’ll be happy to discuss our
proposals and outline how the wind farm will look.”
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