Rob Edwards
A PLAN by the Duke of Buccleuch to build a large wind farm in southwest
Scotland is facing fierce opposition from local residents and politicians
across the political divide.
Erecting 35 wind turbines on the hillsides between Sanquhar and Wanlockhead
in Dumfries and Galloway will wreck the landscape, risk unearthing
contamination from old lead mines and undermine plans for a community land
buy-out, they say.
The accusations are denied by the Buccleuch estate, which says it has
reduced the visual impact of the windfarm and will avoid contaminated
areas. It argues that its plans pre-date the community buy-out.
Buccleuch, Britain’s largest private landowner, has joined with a
renewables company under the banner of the North Lowther Energy Initiative
to apply for permission for a 151-megawatt windfarm. The application is
currently being considered by the Scottish Government.
But leading SNP, Conservative and Labour MSPs have lodged forceful
objections, as have community organisations and recreation groups in
Wanlockhead and Leadhills. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
(Sepa) has also objected because it’s worried that not enough has been done
to prevent water contamination.
Joan McAlpine, the SNP MSP for South Scotland, said: “The proposal to
locate so many turbines in this area will irreversibly destroy its unique
character.”
And although she wanted windfarms in the right place, she shared community
fears about contamination. “I am also concerned that this community’s
wishes are being dismissed by a powerful landowner,” she added.
McAlpine argued that Buccleuch’s plan was at odds with community proposals
to develop the land. “I would therefore be concerned that the wind farm
development undermines the community’s plans to empower itself through
acquisition of the land,” she said.
The Conservative MSP for Dumfriesshire, Oliver Mundell, claimed the
windfarm had no local support. “The application is motivated solely by
financial considerations on the part of the landowner and cannot be
justified,” he said.
It would create “a metal cordon” around local villages which would be
“completely engulfed”, he argued. The development could “destroy the local
community” and leave Wanlockhead “a ghost town”.
Claudia Beamish, Labour MSP for South Scotland, stressed that she was
supportive of renewable energy. But she agreed with local concerns about
the “cumulative effect” of too many wind farms in the area.
Soil and ponds near Wanlockhead are known to be seriously contaminated with
lead and other heavy metals from centuries of mine workings. Residents fear
that erecting the turbines could result in pollution leaking into streams
and rivers.
“I have concerns over the tremendous amount of lead-laced water that will
be released into our waterways by the construction of this industrial wind
park,” said one Wanlockhead resident, Catriona Blewer.
“And I have concerns over what this means for our village’s future. Why
does a corporation get to make huge amounts of money by ruining our quality
of life and our dreams?”
Another resident, Harry Pickburn, was also anxious about the upheaval
during construction. “The disturbance of the pollutants within the ground
is of great concern,” he said.
“The negative effect they would have on wildlife is also unacceptable. We
are not in opposition to progress, and appreciate we need to change, but
feel enough is enough.”
According to the Scottish Government watchdog, Sepa, there was a danger of
“possible mobilisation of metal contaminants into the wider water
environment”. The developer needed to do more work to properly assess the
risks, it said.
“The proposal to carry out further investigation prior to operations is not
adequate to address our concerns,” stated Sepa’s letter of objection. “We
require further information at this stage to ensure that no significant
impact to the water environment will occur.”
Among other objectors are the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society,
Lowther Hills Ski Club, Leadhills Community Council and Wanlockhead Village
Council. The windfarm was “unnecessary, unwelcome and inconsiderate towards
the future aspirations of the affected communities,” said one member of the
village council, Androulla Richford.
Buccleuch, however, argued that the development would bring major economic
benefits to an area that badly needed it. “The project will also deliver
substantial habitat restoration that will improve the environmental and
conservation landscape,” said the estate’s chief executive, John Glen.
He said that there had been “positive feedback” from people in Sanquhar,
Kirkconnel and Wanlockhead. The proposed windfarm was part of a major
investment programme that would benefit the area “hugely”.
“The design of the windfarm has been adapted to reduce visual impact,
including a reduction in visibility from Wanlockhead,” Glen told the Sunday
Herald.
“We are currently liaising with Sepa on some technical issues they have
raised and are confident of addressing them satisfactorily,” he added. “We
have avoided areas identified as being at risk of contamination from old
mine workings.”
Glen attacked McAlpine’s objection as “ill-informed and inaccurate”. It
“betrays her willingness to put her anti-landowner agenda ahead of real
benefit for people in the area,” he alleged.
“It is a pity she chooses to attempt to grab headlines rather than accept
our many invitations to engage directly with us.”
Glen added: “Her suggestion that this proposal undermines a local community
right to buy shows a lack of knowledge that the initiative was conceived
and progressed before any suggestion of a community right to buy – which is
still some way off from being applied for.”
The Scottish Government confirmed that the application was undergoing
consultations. “We are unable to comment until the application process is
completed and a decision has been made,” said a spokesperson.
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