A bid to extend an onshore windfarm in the scenic Lammermuir Hills has been
branded “a step too far” as it includes turbines as high as “the towers of
the new Queensferry Crossing”.
Concerns about the latest proposals for the Crystal Rig windfarm project,
which straddles East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, have been lodged
with Scottish Ministers as an inquiry into the proposals is launched.
And while local neighbours have branded the plans – which included four
turbines with a tip height of 200 metres – too intrusive, local estate
owners have accused the applicants of creating a “stalking horse” to try
and replace older turbines with new higher versions.
They say the approval of the giant turbines on the new site could lead to a
bid to replace smaller turbines – some of which are less than 100 metres
high – on established windfarm sites with new, bigger versions.
Representatives from Mayshiel and Cranshaws Estates said the inclusion of
200-metre-high turbines in the latest plans, which it warned were “the
height of the towers on the new Queensferry Crossing”, should be very
carefully considered.
They said: “It is a stalking horse prelude to the proposed re-powering of
the early phases of Crystal Rig with turbines of this height.”
One local residents objected that plans to site some of the giant turbines
near a country road could pose a health and safety risk if one toppled or
collapsed.
A neighbour of the current windfarm development, he said: “I have been a
big supporter of renewable energy over the years, including Crystal Rig
applications over the years, but this is a step too far.”
Another objector from Innerwick added that the proposed turbines would be
“out of scale with those existing at Crystal Rig”, becoming a dominant
feature on the landscape.
The proposals for Crystal Rig IV, by Fred. Olsen Renewables, will see a
further 11 wind turbines placed on the Lammermuir Hills.
Scottish Ministers have sent the application to a Scottish Reporter for an
inquiry which is expected to reach a conclusion by February next year.
The latest phase of the Crystal Rig project will take the number of
turbines on the site to more than 100.

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1 Comment

Ian Miller · July 17, 2019 at 9:53 pm

CHINA & INDIA WILL WATCH THE WEST DESTROY THEMSELVES.
Without energy you have nothing. China and India understand this better than the west since their citizenry and leaders view energy through the lens of what will help over two-billion-combined-citizens, join the prosperous, western, consumer-driven world.
Most western, environmentally sensitive nations believe fossil fuels are evil. Instead, western countries strive for a renewable energy, carbon-free world.
Even if the US were to cut its CO2 emissions, “100 percent it would not make a difference in abating global warming.” Quoted GWPF

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