PEOPLE objecting to wind farms were today told like it or lump it. The warning came as Glasgow councillors met and were set to approve a 410ft wind turbine on Cathkin Braes, on the south of the city.
PEOPLE objecting to wind farms were today told like it or lump it. The warning came as Glasgow councillors met and approved a 410ft wind turbine on Cathkin Braes, on the south of the city.
The turbine will be just 49ft lower than the Glasgow Science Tower, which is Scotland's largest freestanding building.
However, the move has sparked concerns about the impact on birds and on an area popular with walkers.
Braes site still a battlegroundCATHKIN Braes country park is the highest point in Glasgow, with panoramic views over the city and beyond. It is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and in the Iron Age was the home of a Celtic tribe known as the Damnonii. Many of their belongings have been found in the park and documented, and several of their cairns still exist. The park, which stretches from Glasgow into neighbouring South Lanarkshire, is known for Queen Mary's seat, a large cairn where Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have watched the defeat of her forces at the Battle of Langside in May 1558. A park pavilion was built around 1890 and was used regularly until the early 1980s when it was demolished for structural reasons. At the beginning of the last century major events were held at the pavilion site including music concerts attracting crowds of more than 10,000. The park contains a wide range of local habitats. One of its best known features is the ancient woodland which is visible on the skyline for many miles around. |
Members of one of Glasgow's oldest golf clubs are unhappy it will disturb their game and look "hideous".
But Steve Inch, the city council's executive director of development and regeneration, says people will just have to get used to the idea of wind farms.
His report to the planning committee says: "Given the Scottish Government's commitment to addressing the important issue of climate change and the contribution expected from renewable energy developments, particularly wind farms, it is important for society at large to accept them as a feature of many areas of Scotland for the foreseeable future."
He also rejected fears over noise, television reception and the impact on the landscape.
Cathkin Braes Golf Club has objected to the turbine plan, claiming it is in the wrong place and the whirring noise will be heard by golfers across the course.
The private course, which has 1000 members, sits 600ft above Glasgow and is five miles from the city centre.
Club secretary David Moir said: "We have objected because they want to build this hideous looking thing right in the middle of a country park.
"Our golf club has beautiful views across Glasgow and this will be a monstrosity that will look so out of place.
"Also, holes one, two and three are very close to where the turbine would be built and it will be very noisy. Our members will be disturbed by the noise even if they are at the far end of the course. We will hear a humming and whirring all the time.
"I like windfarms and think they are good things, but it depends where they are built.
"To site one in the middle of a country park does not seem to be right morally."
This turbine - if approved - is a trial, but if it is approved then it is likely to lead to a number of windfarms around the city.
An initial attempt to put wind turbines on Cathkin Braes brought concerns from officials at Glasgow Airport that they would interfere with radar used by the airport.
Discussions were held with a defence and security technology company that uses hi-tech stealth technology to ensure turbines do not affect radar.
Mr Inch says: "Smaller turbines are available, but these do not meet the stealth requirements of the turbine proposed, which should remove the concern of the airport authorities."
The city boss added: "The appearance of the turbine will be relatively significant, but it is not considered it will form an unacceptable addition to the landscape.
"As there is one larger turbine, it may be seen as a landmark rather than the wider impact a bigger wind farm may have."
A number of local people raised concerns the turbine would interfere with their TV reception and the location of the turbine was moved.
Mr Inch said: "There is a residual risk, considered to be low, the single turbine might cause some disruption to television coverage."
However, he suggested Glasgow follows the lead of South Lanarkshire Council, which drew up a legal agreement with ScottishPower when it applied to build a wind farm.
Those people whose signal is affected would have it boosted by a digital box or equivalent.
Bosses of Glasgow South East Regeneration, which is behind the Cathkin Braes scheme, have said they are willing to enter a similar agreement.
Mr Inch also dismisses fears local people will be disturbed by the noise from the turbine.
He said: "It is similar to the noise of wind in trees and so should be acceptable."
Some objectors are concerned the turbine will curb their enjoyment of Cathkin Braes.
But Mr Inch said: "Walkers and other people using the park for recreation will be able to access the same areas because it is not necessary to fence off the turbine or mast."
Scotland claims to have Europe's largest onshore wind farm after work on the Whitelee development on Eaglesham Moor, near Glasgow, resulted in the completion of its 91st turbine.
The wind farm, which is owned by ScottishPower Renewables, can now produce 209.3megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power more than 117,000 homes.
This means it has overtaken the Maranchon wind farm in Guadalajara, Spain, owned by the same parent company, Iberdrola Renovables.
The first phase of the Whitelee wind farm, with 140 turbines generating 322MW of electricity, is due to be finished next summer. An application has been submitted to extend the site by 36 turbines.
