Craig Borland, Senior Reporter
A group set up to assess plans for wind turbines in Helensburgh and the
surrounding area has officially objected to a proposal for two turbines at
a farm in Shandon.
The Turbine Evaluation Group – Helensburgh and Area (TEG-H) says that
although the turbines, proposed for a hillside site near Laigh Balernock,
would not be seen from Helensburgh itself, they would adversely affect the
landscape of the ‘zone of theoretical visibility’ around the farm.
As the Advertiser went to press, 24 comments had been made by members of
the public on the application – with a split of exactly 50-50 between
supporters and objectors.
Alastair Macbeth, secretary of TEG-H, says in the group’s objection: “The
TEG-H objects to the application as it stands.
“Our assessment is that although the turbines would not be seen from
Helensburgh, the Zone of Theoretical Visibility is large and the turbines
would adversely affect the landscape of that zone, especially if pale in
colour.
“Further, the turbines, if approved, would set a precedent, and they appear
to be incompatible with aspects of planning policy.
“The TEG-H conclusion is that a valid case might be made for one, much
smaller and inconspicuous, turbine to provide electricity for the farm.
“Such a corrected arrangement would be practical for the farm, would be
ethical for the environment and community, and would be in keeping with
planning policy. The application as it stands should be rejected.”
The group’s statement endorses the objection by Rhu and Shandon Community
Council to the proposal – which, it says, “stands out among the submissions
as a carefully-assessed and substantiated analysis deserving special
attention”.
The development site crosses the boundary of the community council areas of
Rhu and Shandon on one side and Garelochhead on the other – and while Rhu
and Shandon members have objected to the plans, their counterparts in
Garelochhead have endorsed them.
The planning application states that the ‘community benefit’ deriving from
the turbines, if they are built, will be used to support the Route 81 youth
project in Garelochhead.
Among the latest public comments in support of the plans are those from
Garelochhead resident Laura Cameron, who said: “Given the location, and in
particular the proximity to Faslane naval base, I believe that there are no
grounds for complaints on the aesthetics basis, and welcome this
initiative, along with the potential benefits to Garelochhead village.
“It is vital that we look to the future in respect to renewable energy, and
from my personal point of view, this is almost the ideal place to have such
turbines – especially since these are considerably smaller than the
turbines on a lot of the wind farm sites.”
The TEG-H organisation was formed in response to plans for a five-turbine
wind farm on land approximately 2km north of Helensburgh, which was
submitted in July 2014 but withdrawn a year later after attracting 388
objections.
0 Comments