Wind turbine plan approved
Roy Beers • Published 24 Nov 2011 09:30
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A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build three 15-metre high wind turbines in Uplawmoor has been given the go-ahead - despite fears they will make too much noise and ruin the character of the area.
And a completely new plan for a "monster" turbine 66 metres high has been submitted on the same site, fuelling concerns that wind farms are steadily eroding the area's quality of life.
The three 15-metre turbines passed for South Uplaw were originally refused by East Renfrewshire Council, but have been granted on appeal to the Scottish Government.
Its Reporter has produced a lengthy explanation which centres on how data concerning noise and wind speed between various turbine locations should be interpreted.
But it flatly contradicts council planners' view that no evidence has been produced to show the scheme won't cause a noise nuisance to people living nearby.
In granting the appeal the Reporter set conditions which mean East Renfrewshire Council could theoretically move to shut the turbines down of they exceed a certain noise limit.
But opponents of what's seen as the largely unchecked spread of turbines on rural land say both the council and the government are failing to take into account the cumulative effect of numerous turbine plans on local life.
The Reporter also notes that the turbines developer James Murdoch aims to erect are the Proven P35-2 model, which was withdrawn from sale due to safety concerns - forcing the Stewarton-based company into receivership.
The report adds: "I recommend that in the interests of public safety (correct) modifications should be carried out to the satisfaction of the planning authority before the turbines are erected."
And the scheme has been given a 10-year time limit, as recommended by the council.
Meanwhile new objections are expected over a plan to erect a towering 66-metres turbine at South Uplaw, which would have to be embedded in a concrete base consisting of 83 cubic feet of concrete.
The development would require on-site control unit and a meter house as well as access tracks from public roads, as well as on-site access tracks and a base for a crane.
A report on the scheme concludes it will have a significant visual impact on the area, if approved, particularly when existing Neilston turbines are also taken into account.
And it's been argued large poles needed to connect the structure to the grid will also have a knock-on effect on the character of local farmland - as well as spoiling views from the Uplawmoor Hotel and Caldwell golf course.
This article appeared in Barrhead News 23 Nov 11
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