Angry locals claim two giant wind turbines — described as “monstrosities” — planned for the Port of Dundee will ruin the city’s skyline.
The house of Mr Adam’s neighbours, Gordon and Wendy McQuillan, also looks straight over the planned site. Last night they said alternative methods of generating power should be looked into before planning permission is granted.
“We’ve got a great skyline here, these are not really things to put in the middle of a city,” Mr McQuillan said.
Mr McQuillan continued, “I am into renewable energy but they will dominate the whole landscape and when you come over the bridge they are going to be the first thing that catches your eye.”
He added, “It’s just a bit too much. From an aesthetic point for the city it is going to be an eyesore.
“I think they should investigate other alternatives rather than putting it right on the skyline because we have a beautiful cityscape.”
The couple expressed concern about more turbines being erected in the future, saying a precedent would then be set if planning permission is given.
Forth Energy’s managing director Calum Wilson said the turbines could make Dundee a major player in the renewable energy world.
He said, “Dundee has the potential to be a real powerhouse in renewables and if our plans go ahead the turbines could generate electricity equivalent to meeting the needs of up to 3800 homes.
“In developing this project we recognise the importance of working closely with local partners in Dundee and local communities.
“We hope that local people will take the opportunity to come along to the public exhibition to comment on our proposals and discuss their views with our team.
“The turbines will contribute to Dundee’s energy needs in the years ahead whilst also adding further generating capacity towards the Scottish Government’s target of 50% of Scotland’s electrical energy being supplied from renewable sources by 2020.”
The proposed turbines will have an electricity generating capacity of between 2MW and 2.5MW each, which they say will be put into the city’s main power grid.
The maximum height of the turbines would be 127m to the tip of the blade, making them a similar size to the 120m high ones at the Michelin factory near Claypotts.
A series of detailed studies are being undertaken in support of the planning application, which is due to be submitted to Dundee City Council early this summer.
The proposal for the two wind turbines in Dundee’s port is in addition to the existing renewable energy projects being undertaken by Forth Energy, including plans for four biomass plants at Dundee, Rosyth, Grangemouth and Leith.
A spokesman for Forth Energy said, “At this stage of the project we are keen to hear from local residents and stakeholders to get their views on our proposals.
“Forth Energy staff will be on hand at the forthcoming public exhibition to discuss the proposal with members of the public.”
The plan for the 127-metre high structures at Stannergate has generated fury among locals who say the turbines will not only ruin their outlooks but will give a bad impression for those travelling into Dundee from Broughty Ferry and over the Tay road bridge.
Laura McLean of Primrose Bank, which overlooks one of the planned sites just off Broughty Ferry Road, described the turbines as “monsters” and said the idea to site them at the forefront of the city while efforts were being made to improve the waterfront was “ridiculous.”
“At a time when we are about to demolish Tayside House and hoping to attract the V&A, they come up with a plan to erect these wind turbines which will be a blot on the landscape forever,” Mrs McLean said.
The turbines, both of which are said to be around the same size as the two already at Michelin, are set to be sited a few hundred yards apart, one immediately in front of the roundabout at the foot of Strips of Craigie Road and the other behind the RGIT Survival unit, immediately west of Caledon East Wharf.
The company behind the project, Forth Energy — a joint venture between Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy — has claimed Dundee could become a “powerhouse” of renewable energy if the turbines are given the go-ahead.
But Mrs Mclean says the giant structures are inappropriate for the city’s waterfront.
“They’re the first thing you’ll see when you come into the city from Broughty Ferry or over the water.
“They’re two and a half times the size of Tayside House which is being demolished because it is an ugly building.
Mrs Mclean added,”I think it’s ridiculous putting all this money into getting the V&A and even considering these things on the same waterfront.
“I’m not against renewable energy — far from it — but surely they could use the water, tidal energy, instead of these things. This plan is not for the benefit of Dundee — it’s to benefit Forth Ports and cut their electricity bills.
“The Tay is beautiful and these things are just monsters. Their visible impact is going to be the biggest thing and they’re planning to put them right in front of our windows.
“I pay a lot of money in council tax and I paid good money for my river views and this is going to take all that away.
“The people of Dundee don’t know anything about this and it’s unbelievable.
“I contacted Alex Dalton of Atmos Consulting in Edinburgh who just tried to patronise me with information on the benefits of renewable energy.
“I asked him if he would like these things put up in Princes Street in Edinburgh and he said ‘yes,’ I couldn’t believe it. The whole thing is unbelievable.”
Bob Adam, of Lavender Street, said one of the planned turbines will be situated directly in front of his living-room window and if it goes ahead it would be “a monstrosity.”
He said, “This is just another little nail in the coffin. If they get away with this they will ruin Dundee. It’s already been voted the worst place in Scotland to visit.
“As a Dundee man born and bred I’m distraught at what Dundee City Council is turning Dundee into.
“This will not be to make the area environmentally friendly — it’s to economically benefit Forth Ports.
“The existing turbines at Michelin are at least surrounded by industrial areas not houses.
“The mouth of the Tay could be absolutely beautiful but Forth Ports are almost a law unto themselves.”
Mr Adam is preparing to fight the proposition and plans to attend one of the public exhibitions which will take place on March 29 and 30 at Craigiebank Church Hall to make an informed complaint.
“I imagine there will be a lot of bad feeling about this,” he said.
“They will ruin a lovely view over the Tay.
“The planning department are useless. You go to places like Newcastle and the things they are putting around their waterfront are nice. But in Dundee they had one chance to do the waterfront well and they messed it up.”
The plan for the 127-metre high structures at Stannergate has generated fury among locals who say the turbines will not only ruin their outlooks but will give a bad impression for those travelling into Dundee from Broughty Ferry and over the Tay road bridge.
Laura McLean of Primrose Bank, which overlooks one of the planned sites just off Broughty Ferry Road, described the turbines as “monsters” and said the idea to site them at the forefront of the city while efforts were being made to improve the waterfront was “ridiculous.”
“At a time when we are about to demolish Tayside House and hoping to attract the V&A, they come up with a plan to erect these wind turbines which will be a blot on the landscape forever,” Mrs McLean said.
The turbines, both of which are said to be around the same size as the two already at Michelin, are set to be sited a few hundred yards apart, one immediately in front of the roundabout at the foot of Strips of Craigie Road and the other behind the RGIT Survival unit, immediately west of Caledon East Wharf.
The company behind the project, Forth Energy — a joint venture between Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy — has claimed Dundee could become a “powerhouse” of renewable energy if the turbines are given the go-ahead.
But Mrs Mclean says the giant structures are inappropriate for the city’s waterfront.
“They’re the first thing you’ll see when you come into the city from Broughty Ferry or over the water.
“They’re two and a half times the size of Tayside House which is being demolished because it is an ugly building.
Mrs Mclean added,”I think it’s ridiculous putting all this money into getting the V&A and even considering these things on the same waterfront.
“I’m not against renewable energy — far from it — but surely they could use the water, tidal energy, instead of these things. This plan is not for the benefit of Dundee — it’s to benefit Forth Ports and cut their electricity bills.
“The Tay is beautiful and these things are just monsters. Their visible impact is going to be the biggest thing and they’re planning to put them right in front of our windows.
“I pay a lot of money in council tax and I paid good money for my river views and this is going to take all that away.
“The people of Dundee don’t know anything about this and it’s unbelievable.
“I contacted Alex Dalton of Atmos Consulting in Edinburgh who just tried to patronise me with information on the benefits of renewable energy.
“I asked him if he would like these things put up in Princes Street in Edinburgh and he said ‘yes,’ I couldn’t believe it. The whole thing is unbelievable.”
Bob Adam, of Lavender Street, said one of the planned turbines will be situated directly in front of his living-room window and if it goes ahead it would be “a monstrosity.”
He said, “This is just another little nail in the coffin. If they get away with this they will ruin Dundee. It’s already been voted the worst place in Scotland to visit.
“As a Dundee man born and bred I’m distraught at what Dundee City Council is turning Dundee into.
“This will not be to make the area environmentally friendly — it’s to economically benefit Forth Ports.
“The existing turbines at Michelin are at least surrounded by industrial areas not houses.
“The mouth of the Tay could be absolutely beautiful but Forth Ports are almost a law unto themselves.”
Mr Adam is preparing to fight the proposition and plans to attend one of the public exhibitions which will take place on March 29 and 30 at Craigiebank Church Hall to make an informed complaint.
“I imagine there will be a lot of bad feeling about this,” he said.
“They will ruin a lovely view over the Tay.
“The planning department are useless. You go to places like Newcastle and the things they are putting around their waterfront are nice. But in Dundee they had one chance to do the waterfront well and they messed it up.”