Members of Cree Valley Community Council have decided to officially object
to plans for a windfarm at Balunton Hill, near Glentrool.
The CVCC, after a comprehensive discussion, decided that the plans for the
nine turbines, by North British Windpower, would spoil an area of natural
beauty that was important to the tourist industry linked to the Galloway
Forest Park.
In doing so, they fall into line with national groups such as the John Muir
Trust (a conservation charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing wild
places), the Mountaineering Council for Scotland and the RSPB who also
oppose the windfarm proposal.
A protest group called Glentrool Against Balunton Industrial Turbines
(GABITS) had representatives at the meeting who voiced their strong
objections to the effect the 125-metre turbines would have on the Galloway
Forest Park.
CVCC councillor Anthony Berretti commented that, in his opinion, there
could be no objection lodged that included the word ‘natural’ as the
landscape was cleared by man in the 18th Century so it had ceased to be
natural. He also questioned what form of power the community council would
prefer – wind or nuclear, but fellow councillor Richard Kay said that
wasn’t the issue, the issue was the effect the proposed windfarm would have
on the views.
The CVCC also were asked to comment on a further wind farm proposal for a
different site near the Galloway Forest Park. Gamesa Energy have expressed
their interest in a site near Bargrennan for development and they want to
know what the CVCC would like included in an environmental assessment.
The secretary was asked to invite representatives of the renewable energy
company to a future Cree Valley Community Council meeting to discuss the
proposal.
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