Hearing airs views on wind farm

ARGUMENTS for and against a giant 18-turbine wind farm near Portsonachan overlooking Loch Awe were aired at a public hearing and inquiry in Dalmally, writes Sandy Neil.

The Upper Sonachan Wind Park is so big the application must be determined by the Scottish Government rather than Argyll and Bute Council, under section 36 of the Electricity Act, and go before a public local inquiry. In 2015, Upper Sonachan Wind Park Limited applied to build the 136.5m turbines, with a total capacity up to 61.2MW, on commercial forestry 9.5km north of Inveraray, south of Loch Awe.

Argyll and Bute Council objected to the application on landscape grounds, joined by Scottish Natural Heritage and Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council.

Community councillor Christine Metcalfe, who gave evidence in Dalmally, said the application was ‘yet another financial drain for our hard-pressed council and affected community council. Claims made that distant visibility of other wind farms around Loch Awe provides reason for a section 36 development within an Area of Panoramic Quality beggars belief.

‘With renewable energy targets passed, imposition of more turbines is neither required nor ultimately in the national or consumer interest. We are not being given proof these things produce a CO2 reduction in emissions. The cure is worse than the disease. Why are our vital tourism interests being sacrificed in the absence of such proof?’

Councils, she added, were straining under a ‘tsunami’ of larger wind power developments. ‘It bypasses the ability of councils to decide on the application. The developers reckon they stand a better chance with the government. We desperately need a moratorium. People are on their knees.’

Upper Sonachan Wind Park Ltd is run by Skylark, a joint venture between Skanska and Ecotricity. A Skylark spokesperson said the sessions would allow the reporter to report back to Scottish ministers for a final decision, likely to be next year.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince added: ‘The case for renewable energy, to help the fight against climate change and improve air quality, is unarguable. As is the fact that wind energy saves CO2. Different targets will be met from time to time, when that happens we need to move on to the next ones.

‘The key issue is whether this is a good site for a wind park. Can it be a good neighbour to people and wildlife? If it can, it should go ahead. The world is running out of time to prevent runaway climate change.’