By Ralph Barnett

As controversy rages in some parts of Angus regarding wind farm developments a Carnoustie couple have decided that the best way they can do their bit to reduce greenhouse gases and support the push for sustainable energy is to do it themselves.

Doctors Cathy Hawes and Chris Reed, who work at the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie and Dundee University respectively, had applied to Angus Council for permission to erect a ‘domestic windmill’ at their home at Den Cottage, Panmure.

Their plans have been approved by the council planning and transport director Alex Anderson under the powers delegated to him.

Dr Reed said, “Cathy and I are very keen on environmental matters—for instance we operate our garden organically—and we had been looking at ways to reduce our ‘carbon footprint’ for some time.

“We came across a company in the west of Scotland called Proven Energy, which produces small wind turbines for generating electricity at a domestic level, so we decided to save up our pennies and invest in a little windmill for the house.

“This will, hopefully, be the first stage in our effort to make our home ‘carbon neutral’ as, perhaps in the next year or so, we want to look at combining the windmill with a heating pump.

“The windmill is rated at six kilowatts which, we reckon, will provide about two-thirds of our domestic electricity consumption. Although it is a small step we believe it is a worthwhile investment in the environment.

“Our overall aim is to reduce our personal impact on the environment in as many ways as possible and, while we don’t see ourselves as being like Tom and Barbara in ‘The Good Life,’ we think it is important that everyone should try and do their bit.”

Earlier this year Angus Council senior development control officer Ron McNicoll was the first in the county to tap into wind power on a domestic level when he obtained planning consent from his own department to fit a solar panel and wind turbine on the roof of an extension he built to his house at Kirkbuddo.