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Committee set to decide on windfarm plan

Committee set to decide on windfarm plan

Quote:
development could receive go-ahead despite more than 300 objections
Published: 18/04/2008

A NEW windfarm development in Aberdeenshire could be given the go-ahead despite attracting more than 300 letters of objection.

The Formartine area committee will consider plans for four 250ft turbines and a sub-station at Skelmonae, Methlick, when it meets on Tuesday.

Aberdeenshire Council officials have recommended that the scheme is given the go-ahead, but residents living close to the proposed site have objected strongly. The council received just one letter in support of the application and 324 letters from those opposing the scheme.

Campaigners have formed the Skelmonae Windfarm Action Group and have circulated literature outlining their concerns to local residents.

However, the report which will go before councillors cautions that 75% of representations are made up of three standard letters and that objections have been received from as far afield as Dorset, Brighton and Sheffield.

Action group chairman Marvyn Newberry said this did not detract from the strength of local feeling.

“As a group we canvassed the whole area and found 95% of people were against this windfarm,” he said.

“We did give out pro forma letters because most people were not sure of the planning process and what they should do to register their objections.

“People were more than happy to put their names to them. To give this the go-ahead it would be obscene – it would but something of an industrial scale in the middle of a thriving community.”

A decision is expected on Tuesday when councillors will also consider plans for three 330ft turbines at Hill of Fiddes, Udny, and an application by Balmedie Primary School for a turbine


http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/595365?UserKey=0
lachlanandmarcus

Thanks for highlighting this one. Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!It is unacceptable for representations to be disregarded or given lesser value simply because they are on proformas. People are entitled to use a proforma if they wish, and if they arent then this should be stated, if they are they should be given equal value to any other response. You cant measure strength or genuineness of feeling about an issue by measuring how long a handwritten letter they have time to write, otherwise only stay at home retired peeps would ever get their views included!  

I see this more and more where people express a view in the democratic process and then their views are discounted because they are 'only a proforma' or 'their views were predictable because they are locals'  or 'their views were prejudiced and unacceptable for inclusion in valid responses'  

rant over feel better now!
Sassinak

I think from a planner's point of view the main complaint would be the objections from people who live so far away that their objection is probably an objection to all wind farms regardless of their location.

I am possibly in a minority, but I like them and would have no complaint to make at all if the farmer opposite wanted to put half a dozen in his fields.

I would like to see all outlying houses with their own turbine. Not one of Martin's 'chocolate teapots' but a proper large turbine !
Gandy Goose

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Sassinak

I often stay with a friend in Cumbria who lives by a windfarm.
Being deaf I can't really comment on the noise levels, but certainly Philby, my friend and all her relatives do not find it unpleasant at all. We have all commented on how nice it is to see the sails wizzing round as we sit outside with an evening drink.
I suppose it depends on where you live. I would be absolutely horrified to live near a road or a railway and yet people do not seem to mind this at all - we are all different in what we like lol
Gandy Goose

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Julie

No, she is not in the minority at all.
My next door neighbour is having a wind turbine that will be around 40 ft high and my husband and I are quite excited about it all. The idea that it might reduce the value of our property hasn't even occurred to us and now that you bring it to my attention, I couldn't care less. It will be close enough to hear, see and walk over and touch it - so what? Our other neighbours were asked at the outset too and they don't mind.
We can see the turbines at Boyndie and they are beautiful, my only regret is that they aren't nearer.
I would be quite happy to have them all around my house - my sheep could still graze under them and the veg would still grow. If we had the money, we would have one too and if it meant cleaner air, cheap renewable power and a better future for my grandchildren's children who could complain?
Incidentally, when the farmer planted sitca spruce on three sides of us, we thought we would be living in a black hole where nothing would grow. It hasn't turned out to be the case and we actually get some shelter from it. Things aren't always as bad as your fears make them and not all change is bad.
Gandy Goose

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wildgarlic

I really wish that people wouldn't delete their posts!

I'm of a mixed mind when it comes to wind turbines actually - I believe that they are a great idea in the right place, but in some places they are just WRONG. I don't mean that they are wrong in my backyard... for example, but that in some places the environmental damage that is caused is just too much to allow the development to go ahead.

I LOVE the look of them though ... I love to photograph them and find the sound that they make to be quite relaxing actually.
misteralz

I'm still of the view that they're an absolute waste of time and certainly in no way fit to replace any of our proper power stations. They're also incredibly ugly. We drove past the wind farm at the back end of Alyth on saturday night and that's the closest I've ever been to one. And let me tell you, up close they're even uglier. The scarring on the land was massive and it literally sickened me.
Gandy Goose

wildgarlic wrote:
I really wish that people wouldn't delete their posts!
Sorry
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