Newburgh wind farm proposal questioned by SNH
Construction of what would be the first community-owned wind farm in the east of Scotland has been given a blast of cool air by Scotland's heritage guardian.
- By Cheryl Peebles
- Published in the Courier : 31.05.11
- Published online : 31.05.11 @ 02.56pm
A local trust plans to install three 100-metre tall turbines on a hill near Newburgh, in a scheme that will eventually generate £1 million a year for the town.
However, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has warned the massive structures will damage the landscape.
In a letter to the local authority, SNH operations officer for east Fife, Gavin Johnson, says the wind farm will "dominate" small Lindores Hill on which it will sit and views from Newburgh.
It would appear to "topple over" the skyline, he said, and affect the setting of local landmark the Newburgh Bear, the outline of a bear and staff cut into a hill near the town.
It will also be a prominent sight for passengers on the Edinburgh to Perth railway line.
Mr Johnson said, "The proposed development as it stands will have adverse impacts on the landscape character and on views and visual amenity at local level.
"The turbines would completely dominate the hill and local views, and appear too large in the local landscape context."
He advises that if the project is to go ahead, shorter turbines should be installed.
Newburgh Community Trust hopes to begin construction at Braeside of Lindores Farm next year.
The trust has been working on the proposal, which it said was well-supported locally, for some time.
It is estimated the turbines will generate £250,000 a year for the first 15 years to be spent in the community, and £1 million a year once costs are covered.
They would also be capable of powering 4000 homes and save almost 7800 tons of carbon dioxide a year.
The trust's planning application has received a mixture of objection and support from members of the public.
Chairman, Councillor Andrew Arbuckle, said the trust had been working with SNH over the last year.
He said, "Newburgh Community Trust has carried out a year-long, comprehensive assessment of the impact on the environment.
"I know there is concern about the impact on the hill but those who live in Newburgh will be aware that the hill behind is strung over with dozens of pylons.
"It is really up to the local residents to say whether they support the application or not."
Mr Arbuckle also rejected a claim in a reader's letter published in The Courier on Monday that there had been no public consultation.
He said, "There has been a number of open days, and prior to each of these a letter has gone out to every household in the area.
"In the last week every household has also received a letter inviting them to give their views for or against the application."
It was too early, he said, to say what income generated would be spent on.
Mr Arbuckle also leads the council committee that will determine the planning application, but intends to abstain from discussions and the vote.
03.58pm - 31.05.2011 Jock Ferguson - Newburgh, Scotland Report This
Councillor Arbuckle refused a public meeting on the proposed turbines saying it was 'unnecessary'. Another member of the Community Trust said an open debate 'would only attract objectors'. They also want to decide on distribution of funds in secret using 'a few anonymous men.' No democracy then!
04.27pm - 31.05.2011 SNHrules - Newburgh, UK Report This
Great news. A mad scheme driven on by a close knit group in the town. Huge amounts of money wasted so far. A scheme to benefit turbine consultancy firms and landownwers with sweeties left over for a village being asked to sacrifice their amenity. A clique want them...most categorically do not!
05.35pm - 31.05.2011 Lesley Young - Newburgh, Scotland Report This
I would question the predicted income from these turbines. The figures seem completely fanciful when compared with the income generated by other sites. Also, regardless of how much income they might generate, to have "a few anonymous men" decide how it is spent is completely unacceptable.
09.19pm - 31.05.2011 disillusioned - Newburgh, UK Report This
The applicants for this scheme assume far too much. Very few filled in their survey...we thought it was a load of nonsense with an odd undercurrent for renewables. It was binned. All in all a very costly exercise achieving nothing and not at all what we want in this area.
08.50am - 01.06.2011 Outraged - Newburgh, UK Report This
The survey was a joke mentioning renewable energy on every page...I tore it up in anger. Even dog mess scored higher than energy issues yet we ended up with this proposal from a clique in the town. Incompetent and a flagrant waste of £300,000. They knew SNH wouldn't go with this yet pressed on. Mad!
08.59am - 01.06.2011 FOI - Newburgh, UK Report This
Incompetence all round! Very poor diligence from the Climate Challenge Fund who gave away screeds of money to a daft project masterminded by a few on the basis of a biased survey. Did the CCF ask SNH if they might approve these turbines before handing out the dosh? Frankly this whole issue stinks
10.27am - 01.06.2011 Muscleguy - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
Shorter SNH: you can't have those, people will see them! Obviously what we need, to satisfy SNH is invisible turbines, only then they will complain about all the birds that fly into them, unknowing. IOW they cannot be satisfied, so they should excuse themselves through being too biased to judge fair
12.11pm - 01.06.2011 Alyson Booth - x Cupar, England Report This
Get real Fife, how often have you complained about high fuel bills? yet a wee blight on the landscape could be the future. Was the quarry not an eyesore, but we let it go because the need was greater, this is the same thing just a new generation. We will need power in the future. frustrated Fifer
02.35pm - 01.06.2011 A Scott - Newburgh, UK Report This
Ms Booth (whose view will not be affected) is mistaken. Families and old folk in fuel poverty are facing soaring bills to fund the feed in tarriff for a scheme redistributing money to wealthy landowners. The farmer is reputed to be in line for around 10k per month for 25 years! I prefer my view!
09.48pm - 01.06.2011 MR JOHN KENNEDY - newburgh, fife Report This
if the NCT was in consultation for over a year with the SNH then why not the take the advice on offer!!!!! seems to me that greed for the few has superseded the many, as for Councillor Arbuckle saying that every household has received a letter is a LIE..............
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