By Kirsty Feerick
A distraught bed and breakfast owner is terrified business will plummet if
a major new wind farm is built in her back garden.
Kirstie Murphy,50, is fearing her livelihood will suffer if Sanquhar II is
built right outside her property which is set to be one of the largest in
the UK.
The plans include 50 gigantic turbines that will stand at 200m tall which
is twice the size of the statue of liberty which stands at 93m.
Now Kirstie has been left feeling swept aside along with her neighbours who
are also worried their mental health could suffer from the project.
But Community Wind Farm Company who are building the scheme insist the wind
farm will help the community and even boost employment and education.
The proposed wind farm is located west of Sanquhar and south of Kelloholm
in Dumfries and Galloway.
Kirstie said:“Apparently this has been in the pipeline since 2014 but we
only received letters last August.
“There’s going to be about 20 properties affected which includes me and my
neighbours.
“We are going to experience flicker from the blade noise and a constant
humming that will keep us up at night.
“All the health impacts that come with these wind farms are being brushed
under the carpet as well.
“The lack of sleep they caus e could lead to depression.
“I’m scared I will be imprisoned in my own home.
“We had a property for sale and sold it within three weeks but as soon as
the buyer realised it was on the market they pulled out. It is just going
to be terrible.
“We get a lot of walkers coming through here for the area’s nature and
beauty. Now they will be put off and it will completely ruin the scenery.
“We were also promised financial benefit to make up for all of this but we
haven’t heard anything more about it so don’t think that is happening.
“There has been a petition launched now to stop the wind farm going ahead.
“I run a bed and breakfast all year round that is always busy. It is mine
and my husband’s retirement plan but it will be totally ruined if the wind
farm goes up. People won’t want to stay anywhere near it.
“There is no one who wants natural energy and to help the planet than me,
but to what extent do we take it.
Another cornered resident said Sue Hall said: “Local residents are
horrified by the cumulative visual impact, the impact of these turbines on
such a beautiful area, the closeness of some turbines to homes (1 km or
less in some cases), the potential impacts on private water supplies, local
tourism, wildlife, house prices and local traffic. Each Turbine will
require 10 wagons for transport so 500 wagons on the A76.”
But Community Wind farm said: “Community Wind power Ltd are delighted to
announce that a planning application for a 350 Megawatts (MW), 50 turbine
extension to our operational Sanquhar Community Wind Farm has been
submitted to The Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
“Over the 35 year operational life of Sanquhar II, £630 million will be
invested into the local and Scottish economy.
“This includes funding for community benefits, creation of at least four
permanent jobs, business rates, general site maintenance, operational and
maintenance of t he turbines and grid connections costs.
“For example, an excess of £4 million would be invested annually through
business rates to Dumfries & Galloway and East Ayrshire councils.
“This equates to over £150 million during the operational lifespan of the
wind farm; a significant investment which the councils can use to support
vital local services and facilities, in turn helping to improve education,
employment and the local authority areas.”
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