By Paul Kelly
The company behind a major wind farm application close to Bonchester Bridge
has come under fire from community leaders over a negative assessment of
Hawick and the surrounding area.
Leeds-based Energiekontor UK wants to erect 12 wind turbines at Pines Burn
on the Harwood Estate.
As part of its application, the company had to submit a local profile,
presenting an overview of the local economy in Teviot and Liddesdale, and
Hawick in particular, but the company’s assessment, based on official
statistics, appears to have backfired.
It has been attacked by community leaders for being “extraordinarily
brutal”, highlighting as it does falling populations, high levels of child
poverty, negative crime statistics and the loss of traditional industry.
The lengthy and detailed appraisal has angered Hawick and Denholm
councillor Watson McAteer as he believes the figures fail to represent the
many positive aspects of Hawick today, including the arrival of a new
distillery and two major supermarket retailers, the 3G pitch at Volunteer
Park and the ongoing work to transform Wilton Lodge Park.
Duncan Taylor, project manager with Energiekontor, said the firm understood
the concerns raised and pledged it would be a good neighbour to the local
community.
But Mr McAteer thinks the statement risks stirring up hostility to an
application previously perceived as “slightly less provocative” than the
six other potential wind farm sites earmarked for the area.
He said: “Their recent insensitive and unnecessarily selective use of
socioeconomic data to support their planning application has generated a
very hostile reaction.
“While the statistics may paint a poor picture of our town, the reality is
quite different, with new business, industry and leisure facilities
combining to reverse declining trends.
“The Energiekontor team has been encamped in the area for the best part of
12 months, and it is surprising they have failed to fully understand and
appreciate the unique character of our townsfolk and community.
“One thing is certain – if successful, they may be able to inject some
funding into the community, but by their own figures, no more than three
full-time staff will ultimately manage the site, which is hardly likely to
change any of the data being used to support their planning application.”
Another critic of the project is Philip Kerr, chairman of Southdean
Community Council.
He said: “I am sure these problems in our area are well recognised by all
elected representatives, but the summary is extraordinarily brutal, and in
the context of a wind farm application doesn’t read well, at least to my eyes.
“It is totally unnecessary to go into quite such detail.
“I am not sure building 12 wind turbines necessarily tackles the issues
portrayed either.”
Mr Taylor added: “We understand the concerns that have been raised
regarding the socio-economic chapter of the environmental statement.
“People rightly have a sense of pride about their communities, and that is
sometimes difficult to represent in facts and figures.
“Our interaction with the community as the scheme has evolved over the last
12 months, however, and has helped our understanding of how the Pines Burn
wind farm investment will benefit the local area, which we recognise is one
among many investments planned.
“Our offer of shared ownership of the wind farm, and a benefit of £180,000
per year, would be substantial contributions to the local economy.
“We believe anyone who has come to know Energiekontor locally will attest
to our values and transparency.
“We want to be good neighbours to the community and will always listen to
concerns raised.”
0 Comments