Migraines and tinnitus among Forth Energy turbine fears
Letters and emails opposing Forth Energy's plans for two wind turbines at Stannergate in Dundee are continuing to pour in to The Courier.
Courier reader Norman McLean's photo of the test mast erected at Stannergate.
- By Bruce Robbins
- Published in the Courier : 03.05.10
- Published online : 03.05.10 @ 12.45pm
Campaign group Residents Against Tay Turbines (RATTs) has mobilised people in the area north of the proposed site, and they are increasingly showing their willingness to come out publicly against the scheme proposed by Scottish & Southern Energy and Forth Ports.
The issue was a hot topic at a Courier hustings in the Apex Hotel on Friday, when candidates were given a grilling about their views on the Stannergate turbines proposal.
The Courier also invited readers to take part in a poll, and you have not been slow in making your views known.
Norman McLean of Primrose Bank submitted photos of Forth Energy's test mast, which has been erected on site to check the strength and consistency of the wind.
It shows a mast that reaches almost to the top of the oil rig berthed at Stannergate.
Mr McLean said, "Forth Energy's attempts to fool the Dundee public in relation to the height of the proposed wind turbines are disgraceful.
"As the height of the turbines is 127m (417ft) it is not too difficult to imagine how imposing these structures will be — you only need to double the height of the existing (test) mast.
"It doesn't take too much initiative either to do an internet search for Rowan Gorilla V to compare the declared height of the oil rig against the height of the turbine. For Forth Energy to claim that the turbines will be 'much smaller by comparison' is ridiculous."
Alexander Shand of Hawick Drive — who has experience of wind turbines, living near the two at Michelin's tyre factory — said noise and shadow flicker, rather than visual impact, were the biggest problems.
He said, "The noise which comes from the blades under certain, not uncommon conditions is very disturbing and most people will be surprised to learn that the problem actually increases, in the area surrounding them, with distance.
"When I walk my dog I am aware that people living further than me from the turbines suffer more.
"Double glazing has the effect that it filters out the higher sound frequencies, which I liken to hearing a neighbour's stereo player being heard," he said.
"When the noise goes on for day after day, despite being below officially approved levels it becomes very like Chinese water torture.
"It has been reported that the noise can cause tinnitus — and my wife has recently started to suffer from this condition, which greatly improves when we go away on holiday.
"I have found shadow flicker to be the most problematic effect of the turbines.
"The owner, Ecotricity, recognised this when submitting its plans for approval, and submitted a (inaccurate) map showing which properties would be affected.
"One of the conditions attached to permission was that when houses were likely to be affected a sensor would automatically shut down the blades until the conditions passed.
"This was not implemented during the first year of operation and, following complaints, the company engaged an engineer to submit an impartial report.
"The flicker induces migraine attacks with me, and I feel very unwell.
"To the credit of Ecotricity, a sensor is now in operation and I no longer suffer shadow flicker.
"On information passed to me it is clear that wind turbines are not the most efficient way of generating 'green energy' — but the financial rewards are immense, which is probably why Ecotricity and Forth Ports refuse to divulge the economics of them, claiming commercial confidentiality."
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