Raera Windfarm Fact Sheet

[NickB]

SEIL AND EASDALE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

PROPOSED RAERA WINDFARM

FACT SHEET

The Community Council have attended two meetings with N Power and will be visiting a windfarm soon. We know that many people are unaware of the facts about the proposed project so we thought it would be a good idea to list everything we have learned to date. Many details are changing as plans are developed so some facts may already be out of date – for which we apologise.

There is to be an exhibition by N Power in the Seil Island Hall on Tuesday 8th September from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is also an exhibition in Kilmelford on 28th and 29th August. In addition, Mr Gary Parker from N Power is currently holding door-to-door consultations and he will speak to as many people as possible. If you miss him, he can be contacted on 07525 754982.

This is what we know so far:-

• There will be 23 turbines. Each will be 125 metres high to the top of a vertical blade - about 400 ft (hub height 80 metres). Compare this to the Cuan Sound pylons at about 200 ft.

• The windfarm will be ‘centred’ at GR 83501800 (just east of Cnoc Cal nan Uamh 233 metres). East side near Oude Dam. West side 2 kilometres from Ardmaddy

• Planning application is likely to go in at the end of 2009

• If approved, building due to start 2 years later

• The ambient noise levels on the site will be tested. The turbines are allowed to be 5 decibels above the average

• We have displayed a visibility map on the noticeboard at Balvicar Stores

• Turbines will be visible from the higher points on Seil

• They will be visible from Mull, most of the Firth of Lorn, the Sound of Jura and Loch Melfort

• Transport of major parts by sea is being considered

• N Power do not know yet where the towers and turbines will be manufactured

• Planning is being based on the largest turbine – 3 megawatts

• We do not know how it will be connected to the Grid – pylons?

• We do not know yet about any financial benefit to the community

We hope this helps you to be better informed when N Power comes to call.

(Posted by Admin on behalf of Seil and Easdale Community Council)

[spiderman]

Thanks for info. But it's a folly.

[longshanks]

We know that many people are unaware of the facts about the proposed project

er; didn't everyone receive a very comprehensive brochure about the project through their letterboxes?
Is the implication that "many people" didn't read/understand it?
.................
I tend to agree with Spiderman but, conversely, do feel that we need to "do our bit" about the terrible effects which we will suffer due to man-made global warming so will vote in favour of the wind farm when we, residents, are allowed our say.
Any one know what power (if any) the CC has over this proposal?
..................
How about a manipulation free poll on this issue?

Shanks (400 feet by choice)

[Seil Blubber]

How about a manipulation free poll on this issue?

What's stopping you then? . . . anyone can start a poll here as far as I know.

I don't think the CC have any influence over whether or not this goes ahead - unless they can get the RSPB or someone similar to come in to bat because the lesser spotted whimbrel is a particularly rare and stupid bird that regularly flies into turbine blades.

The CC may be in a position to negotiate the local remuneration/bribe though, so there could be room for some input here.

[khartoumteddy]

poll away if you must however bear in mind that most answers to this type of poll
are likely to be based on the NIMBY PRINCIPAL

mostly these wind farms are eyesores and of doubtful value to the local community
although n power will ultimately make a grand profit
pity they arent British
so n power will not care where they site them particularly

Teddy

[Eric the Viking]

I think the only ones who will really benefit is the parcel of rogues at Hamsworth Pension Funds Trustees Ltd and Red Square Holdings Ltd., Po Box 71, Craigmuir Chambers, Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

[longshanks]

How about a manipulation free poll on this issue?

What's stopping you then? . . . anyone can start a poll here as far as I know..

Tell you what's stopping me blubbery old chap; the "open polls" section has been removed from this forum and the "add poll" button has disappeared too!
Probably a decision by McAdmin who discovered that the recent "who would you vote for in a General Election" had been manipulated to show the SNP getting as many votes as the Tories.
Of course, I may be wrong. I'm sure Erica will let us all know if I am. If by some fluke I am right can we have the "add poll" button restored Mr Admin, sir, please?

Suffrashanks (votes for wimmin by choice)

[NickB]

.

the "add poll" button has disappeared

Never was one. Polls can only be set up when you start a new topic. The options are set below the actual posting window and the 'file attachment' window.

[longshanks]

I think the only ones who will really benefit is the parcel of rogues at Hamsworth Pension Funds Trustees Ltd and Red Square Holdings Ltd., Po Box 71, Craigmuir Chambers, Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Thanks for the info Eric.
You wouldn't happen to know on which Exchange these two companies are quoted? With an annual rent of £20,000 per turbine looks like they're in for an unbudgeted annual windfall of close to half a million. Looks to me like a damn good investment opportunity if their shares are publically traded; I intend to fill my boots.
NPower worth a punt too, while I'm on the sibject.
Blimey, thinking about it further, Hamsworth and Red Square have got it made. Their original forestry investment was always tax free anyway, being BVI registered means their other incomes are free of UK tax, and now they've got this massive windfall coming. Get your wallets out boys!
Thanks again Eric. I hadn't thought of researching who were the owners of the land (local rumour used to be that it was Cliff Richard and Cilla Black....honestly)

Long Shanks (on these ones definitely, by choice)

[longshanks]

Put your wonga away folks.
My man in the City has told me the following:
1. Yes, Raera forest is (the vast majority of it) owned by The Harmsworth Pension Trustees. This is an investment vehicle for The Daily Mail Group Pension Fund and is U.K. registered (not BVI). It exists to provide pensions for 13,000 current and ex-employees of The Daily and Sunday Mail. So no chance of us buying shares in that but good to see many thousands of Mail employees will benefit financially from the wind farm.
2. Eight years ago Harmsworth sold a small area of the forest to BVI registered Red Square. My man couldn't get hold of their accounts (not surprising being BVI) but would guess that Red Square is probably an investment vehicle for someone local to the area. Strange really because forestry is exempt from most U.K taxes so why locate legally in BVI? Anyway it is unlikely that any of the turbines will be located on Red Square land given that it owns less than 10% of the forest area.
Thanks for the tip anyway Eric, worth a try.
In return here's a good "buy" tip; Vesta. U.K. Government is rumoured to be about to pump millions into them under the guise of an R and D grant, in reality to keep open the IoW plant and to newbuild a plant in Kintyre. They will then be monopoly turbine manufacturers in the U,K....licence to print money eh !

Loadsa Shanks (stopped shorting a couple of months ago, by choice)

[khartoumteddy]

[quote="Eric the Viking"]I think the only ones who will really benefit is the parcel of rogues at Hamsworth Pension Funds Trustees Ltd and Red Square Holdings Ltd., Po Box 71, Craigmuir Chambers, Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.[/quote]

Past experience of the BVI has shewn me personally that more or less whatever happens no one is responsible

cost me a lot of money to find that out

Teddy