Wind farm project site hit by vandals

Police have launched an investigation after vandals w r e c ke d ground preparations for a major wind farm project.

In advance of Seagreen offshore wind farm, markers and netting had been placed along a pathway between Barry Buddon Training Centre and Carnoustie Golf Links.

However, vandals ripped the nets and stole the markers, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

The incident sparked outrage from locals, who said vandalism was blighting the area.

Local councillor Brian Boyd said: “It’s appalling.

“The police are stretched enough dealing with far more important things – like keeping communities safe during this Covid-19 pandemic – to have to be dealing with this.

“The community will in time get a fairly hefty payout from Seagreen. The community council will be the beneficiaries of a large amount of money for the inconvenience the project is causing. The town can illafford such a wanton act of destruction at this point in time.”

When complete, Seagreen’s offshore wind farm will be Scotland’s single largest source of renewable e n e r g y, providing enough power for up to a million homes.

A cable route via Carnoustie connecting the wind farm and Tealing substation was essential to the project’s success.

A voluntary land agreement deal was struck between Angus Council, Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC), and other key landowners earlier this summer to allow development to progress.

Mr Boyd said vandalism had increased during the last fortnight, particularly with signs being spraypainted at Barry Burn and on local golf courses.

“Whoever these idiots are, I wish would stop,” he said.

“Carnoustie Golf Links little they has enough on their plate too. They’ve lost so many visitors this year due to restrictions and they’re trying to keep hundreds of people employed. I’d urge the people responsible for this to think about their community – and stop damaging it.”

A Po l i c e Scotland spokesman said: “We are investigating a theft and associated vandalism between Friday October 2 and the following Monday.

“Wooden posts have been removed, and n e tt i n g vandalised.”

A spokesman for Seagreen said: “The matter is a police investigation, so it would be inappropriate to comment.”

ANGER: Locals fed up with damage to Seagreen work.