The proposed Clachan Wind Farm

[MonaLott]

I suppose everyone received a surprise glossy through the mail today outlining the plan by the land-owner to establish an 11-turbine wind farm on the ground right opposite (west of) Loch Seil. Surely this is a nightmare proposal? We are already faced with a wind-farm on the hill above (east of) Loch Seil. This new farm of 78 metre high turbines, however, will be entirely visible to all, ruining the great scenery and the unique ecology of a historic piece of land so rich in history and wildlife. There are fantastic nature walks in that area, rare birdlife including sea eagles and other raptors, and the contours of the Toad of Lorn are iconic. Consider too the further devastation to our road system in bringing in the huge amount of materials needed to establish the site. The proliferation of windmills throughout Scotland is now reaching worrying proportions. It's a toxic financial racket, in my view, and it's one that will devastate this country and now our locality unless the community rejects this new monstrosity strongly and unanimously. Anyone agree?

[Seventhseil]

NO!!!, not enough turbines....

[Pentlandpirate]

They are turning up everywhere. How they ever get planning permission I have no idea, when even a one and a half storey cottage is rejected because it has a plastic conservatory, how can you allow these blots on the landscape. It's a national disgrace. Give me a nuclear power staion any day

[NickB]

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Nothing came through our letterbox. Anyone care to post some more details?

[Peter Connelly]

http://www.westcoastrenewables.co.uk/

[Seil Blubber]

NickB, if you haven't seen the leaflet then have a look at the website http://www.westcoastrenewables.co.uk

While I am not against wind turbines in principle and didn't find the Raera project too objectionable this is a different kettle of fish, and I find the way this development is being presented to be pretty sleazy.

With over half a century of involvement with Luing and Clachan we feel a strong sense of responsibility for maintaining the surrounding area for future generations.

Translation: 'I'm an incomer who has inherited land here. I can't be bothered farming it so I am going to remove the cattle and the people who look after them and build a local eyesore that I won't have to look at, though you will of course'.

My take is that the sole purpose of this development is to make Mr. Young some easy money based largely on over-generous grants subsidised by the taxpayer. I don't think his 'hey guys' approach is going to cut a lot of ice.

[NickB]

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Thanks Peter,

The leaflet actually came through our door this morning, so I am still digesting it and trawling through the website. I suspect there is likely to be substantial local opposition - more so than with Raera.

[carbonfreeseil]

For greater detail there's this:
http://www.westcoastrenewables.co.uk/wp ... Report.pdf
I think one needs to remember the biggest threat facing our world which is global warming. It is possible that by 2050 parts of Seil will be underwater due to sea level rise and most of our native species and plants will have become extinct due to the rapidly rising temperatures.
We all have to do our bit. I do hope that people on Seil are not going to take a nimby attitude but accept the opportunity to become a shining light in the fight against global warming.
There is a good chance that Seil could become a real centre of excellence and an example to the rest of Scotland as being a major centre for renewable, green energy. There are several other projects in the pipeline, though not yet as far advanced as the Clachan-Seil array.
For example preliminary work (pre-application feasability research) is taking place for a wind farm in the hills above Scammadale Glen, in the hills overlooking Easdale, and another in the hills between Seaview and Cuan. In addition a private consortium is preparing an offer to fund build a five tidal turban causeway, which will also provide a road link, between Cuan and Luing; at no cost to the Council.
Lets see the positives of all these developments in terms of jobs, money raised for community projects, and, most importantly, the fight against global warming.

[canUsmellthat]

Where's the "Toad of Lorn"???

[Pentlandpirate]

Seilblubber.....I couldn't agree with you more.

Farmer's haven't farmed the land for at least two generations now. They farm the 'system' based on what they can get in subsidies and tax incentives for whatever crazy scheme is on the go. Grow flax, set aside to protect rare spiders, grow trees, grow wind farms. They are not interested in the environment, just what it puts in their bank account.

Planning permission for these monstrosities is out of control. Even in tolerant Switzerland they have banned the building of any new minarets. These turbines do not fit our environment and we must refuse any more, vigorously.

[NickB]

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Looking through the literature, particularly the PDF file, it is obvious that a great deal of time and money has been spent preparing this application, money which would not have been spent if the proposers were not fairly confident of the outcome. They must have powerful backers.

It seems from the sightline maps that all 11 turbines will be visible all the way from Clachan Seil to Balvicar, but of course as far as planning goes this is not grounds for opposing the development. In fact, it is hard at the moment to see what grounds there might be as the developers seem to have most of the bases covered.

If people are serious about opposing this development then they will need to be very organised - a few whinges on here will not stop it, although this is an ideal forum for discussion. Beyond that, if you think this site can help in any way or if an organised opposition group needs a free professional website then please PM me.

[Beetlejuice]

"Carbonfreeseil" seems to be very well informed. Perhaps he/she would care to reveal where we can find details of the other proposals mentioned?

[NickB]

"Carbonfreeseil" seems to be very well informed. Perhaps he/she would care to reveal where we can find details of the other proposals mentioned?

[MonaLott]

1) It seems to me that carbonfreeseil is just a comic, taking the Mickey and trying to wind us up with his imaginary proliferation of silly wind-farm sites; someone like Longshanks in disguise? Ignore him.

2) Nick, I would have thought that such blatant destruction of the local scenery would indeed be grounds for planning objection. Usually such farms are hidden to a large extent or are very remote. This one would be sitting in full near-field view on a site of archaeological (standing stones, hill fort etc), historical (St Brandon), ecological (sea eagles etc) and obvious touristic significance.

3) CanU, The Toad of Lorn is the name given to the hill (otherwise Losgann Lathurnach) rising to the north above the site of the proposed wind farm. Basically, seen from a distance, it looks like a frog. I think it is most impressive from the sea but, even from the Loch Seil side, there is a characteristic froggy look.

4) Who are these Youngs? Where do they live? Are they local? To me, they sound like opportunistic charlatans, motivated by money and willing to destroy our shared environment for a quick buck. Unfortunately, we live in a mad political situation which subsidises Mickey Mouse technology like windmill-farms. No problem maybe about one turbine helping to power a smallholding but no way should large swathes of scenic areas be destroyed by unsympathetic siting of these daft machines! Gimme a zerocarbon nuclear reactor any day. But not on the hillside of the Toad of Lorn!

[Seventhseil]

this puts the pontoon in clachan sound into perspective...no?

[Minimum]

Can anyone tell my why "the community" needs so much money? If I remember correctly a similar sort of "benefit" has been dangled from the Raera project too.

Will I get any of it in my pocket?

I realise some local groups would like to buy the odd thing or two, but will we really benefit from £10,000s? Could the cost of accepting such "carrots" be at the loss of something that perhaps we take for granted now, and will only "value" once it's gone - our magnificant scenery and precious environment?

Gobal warming, if true, and if caused by man, is gradual and of course we must learn ways of reducing our impact - mostly caused by greed. We must reduce our electricity consumption, not cover our country in wind turbines to feed our greed and encourage it to grow.

Wind turbines do not grow slowly - the imapct is sudden.

[NickB]

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The developers invite comment and questions on their blog: http://www.westcoastrenewables.co.uk/hello-world/

If you want to find out more about windfarms you might also be interested in some of the documents in the Views Of Scotland library HERE - although it has to be pointed out that this site is anti-windfarm so other sources should also be read to ensure a balanced view.

[longshanks]

someone like Longshanks in disguise?

Mona; I'll thank you not to cast aspersions.
My views about Global Warming and pointless, ugly, desecrating windfarms are well known through the many posts I've made here berating the bunnyhuggers etc. Don't look to me to support windfarms or to make posts like the one to which you refer.
However, despite Mona's accusation, I find this thread most refreshing. Yes, we must oppose this windfarm. Its totally pointless in terms of the mythical global warming thing and will drastically damage a fragile ecosystem and habit.
So congratulations to NickMacB (no I haven't got my fingers crossed) for his spectacular volte face ("They are not that ugly. Galicia has hundreds of them and personally I don't think they are that much of a blot - there is a certain grace about them" http://www.seilchat.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=619 ) and full praise to him for offering technical and financial support to the protest group. I've changed my opinion about you sir.
So, lets fight this monstrous plan. I would suggest that a starting point is to make sure we provide a packed and vociferous turnout at the upcoming public meeting.

Swampy Shanks (manning barricades by choice)

[NickB]

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I haven't exactly had a Damascene moment . . . let's just say that I believe there is more to solving the global environmental crisis than sticking up a load of windfarms on Scottish hillsides. I expect this will go through, as there is pretty much carte blanche for windfarm developments in Scotland at the moment, but I do think people should have their say and maybe exert a bit of pressure with a view to perhaps enhancing the 'community benefit'.

Longshanks, what forthcoming public meeting are you referring to?

[jimcee]

Well the large majority of postings on this subject, so far, are very much against this development. This is not surprising, as historically anything which has been introduced to improve the lot of mankind, has met with vociferous opposition.
While not nailing my colours to the mast, for or against, but with a bias generally for renewables, a few points.
It is unlikely that these masts would be visible between Clachan Seil and Balvicar - they are away up near the Toad of Lorn, but not on it - and anyone who can see a Toad or even a Frog there, has a vivid imagination.
One can go along with opposition to the absentee landlords who foist something on to others, while not having to suffer the consequences themselves.
Should this scheme and the Raera one go ahead, we could probably probably re-jig the tourist literature to read - " Come visit the Bridge over the Atlantic at the end of Windfarm Alley".