proposed turbine for easdale island

[Gavin Rae]

Have I missed something about proposed Marina in easdale sound?

[Beetlejuice]

It seems that there are some over there on the Rock who don't know the meaning of the word "enough".

[brodie]

"enough"? but they are only just getting started with their Master Plan, they still have to move on to such things as landing charges for anybody travelling to the island, prohibition of tourists eating or drinking unless their refreshments are bought on the island, passports, visas etc. Anything to encourage more tourists.

[Pentlandpirate]

Charles Hendry.

I only just realised a number of days ago I used to go to school with him.

In 1971 I left a school in Sussex and started at Thurso High and joined a class made up of sons and daughters of nuclear physicists and engineers (with the odd farmer and fisherman). In 1972 Charles Hendry left that same school in Sussex I went to, went to Rugby, and has now become Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change.

When he and I went to school climate change was unheard of. Renewable energy was unknown. Nuclear energy was just dawning. Windmills were something you saw only in history books.

I've grown up a big fan of nuclear energy and been prepared to have it on my doorstep. But having windmills and turbines scar my horizons is something I will never accept. It seems energy policy has gone crazy. Having had the same elementary schooling as The Energy Minister, I'm wondering what credentials he has to judge the appropriatness of individual energy developments such as those on Easdale and at Clachan Seil. I'm sure you wouldn't get planning permission for a turbine near his £0.7 million farm house in Sussex and it certainly wouldn't be possible next to his £ 2.56 million second home in Westminster. So NIMBYism is quite acceptable. I think I might need to have a chat with him.

Easdale is not like some of the other Scottish Islands. It's tiny, and just one turbine will ruin what is a conservation area and create more noise and flicker than people can imagine. The meagre 'benefits' the developers offer just aren't worth ruining lives for. DEVELOPERS ONLY THINK OF THEMSELVES.

[NickB]

Have I missed something about proposed Marina in easdale sound?

I don't think so - it's just a rumour I heard a year or so ago as part of the (then) master plan for the future development of the island. I haven't heard anything since, so wondered if anyone else had.
(The 'stirring' smiley was intended as a clue . . . )

[Beetlejuice]

The Sound already looks pretty much like a marina to me, and will do even more if/when Graeme gets his two new moorings out there. And what will it be like on Rib Rendezvous weekend????

[brodie]

Mini, you're suggesting that a change to the "community group's" committee would solve Easdale's problems. But why not get rid of the "community group" altogether? Why does the island need or want one when it constantly behaves as you so correctly described in your earlier post? It was set up to get a grant to renovate the village hall - which it successfully did - and that should have been the end of the story.

You are quite correct; as I understand it this was the one and only mandate that Eilean Eisdeal received from the island residents. It has performed it's task and it is now redundant. Time for it to be wound up and it's assets transferred to a more responsible and democratic body.

[brodie]

On a recent visit to Alcatraz I was astonished to see that Eilean Eisdeal no longer view planning permission as being a necessary process. They have proceeded to erect a fully functioning and unprotected wind turbine and solar panel in the children's play area.

Did I miss a planning application?

[NickB]

On a recent visit to Alcatraz I was astonished to see that Eilean Eisdeal no longer view planning permission as being a necessary process. They have proceeded to erect a fully functioning and unprotected wind turbine and solar panel in the children's play area.

Did I miss a planning application?

It's a tiny one - I doubt if you need permission for that. If you did the editorial team at EasdalePeople.org.uk would have been onto it pretty rapidly surely.

[brodie]

It's a tiny one

Size is not relevant, what is of paramount importance is the protection of the safety of the children using the playpark. The play area is already hazardous to their health since there is no protection from the dogs that run loose on the Island and continually foul this play area.

As for the Easdale Community web site, I am sure they will cover this matter eventually. Speaking to some of the Islanders I was informed that the planning question is currently being investigated by Argyll and Bute Council who take the matter of health and safety very seriously.

[Beetlejuice]

See
http://www.easdalepeople.org.uk/?p=539
and
http://www.easdalepeople.org.uk/?p=603

[Minimum]

It seems that the objectors to the wind turbine have been successful. The appeal to the original planning decision has been dismissed by the reporter and planning permission has been refused. I'm sure there are going to be a number of relieved residents on the island - congratulations to all who put up a such a strong campaign.

[brodie]

The two wind turbine planning applications by Eilean Eisdeal, one subsequently withdrawn and one refused after appeal, have clearly demonstrated that there is absolutely no mandate at all from Easdale Islanders for EE to attempt the installation of a wind turbine on the island, no matter where it might be located. Congratulations to all the islanders and to all in Ellenabeich that objected and also to all others from further afield.

I hope that the message has finally got through to EE that their unilateral, undemocratic actions are just not acceptable behaviour in the 21st century.

[Beetlejuice]

Congratulations to all the islanders and to all in Ellenabeich that objected and also to all others from further afield.

Yes indeed. The turbine would have been a total eyesore, and an imposition on everyone in the area, not just the Rockers' own backyard.
BTW, I hear that the "tiny" one on the kids' unsightly playship blew itself up sometime this week and had to have its blades hacked off.

[Minimum]

I hope no children were injured, nor anyone else for that matter. In my view the whole thing was irresponsible. How much money was wasted on that 'good idea'?